John Gray High School is taking a second shot at regional glory.
The school is sending a boys Under-19 basketball team to Jamaica Oct. 27-31 to play exhibition games against schools there. Huey Crawford of John Gray is among the coaches preparing the young men and he says the trip is part of an incentive to bolster youth development in the sport.
“John Gray High School Basketball Club was formed last year so we are in our second year of existence,” Crawford said. “It is important for the boys to play overseas to gain a true perspective of where they are as individual players, as a team, and as a program. It gives the young men an incentive to finish what they start and to work hard for common goals. The club provides a healthy alternative for the young adults as part of the Extended After School Program.”
This is not the first time John Gray is playing overseas. Last year, John Gray lost all three of its games in Nassau, Bahamas. That U-19 team, which competed with the backing of the Cayman Islands Basketball Association, suffered defeats at the hands of Charles Irvin Gibson Senior High School Rattlers, 74-13, in game one; private school St. Vincent Stingrays, 36-9, in game two; and Aquinas College, 45-34, in the finale. Jamel Winton and Joshua Ebanks-Brown were the top talents on that side, which was instructed by Grey and national men’s coach Daniel Augustine.
Crawford said the school hopes to improve on that performance.
“We hope they have a good showing. The boys didn’t have a great showing last year and some of those boys were national Under-19 team members,” he said.
Crawford, who has been helped on the sidelines by Errol Grey, will be accompanied by Kirlew Watson and Hurlene Grey in Jamaica. The group will lead 11 young men into competition, with one team member representing Clifton Hunter High School. The team roster features: Albis Amaya, Alex Brown, Jahmar Dawkins, James Ebanks, Roy Ebanks, Darren Kirchman, Ted Padua, Errol Simms, Rascine Smith, Bryce Thompson and Trevin Williamson. Most of those players have competed in various local leagues.
Much of the focus will rest on Amaya and Thompson. Both have been central figures on past teams with tangible results as Amaya was part of the winning club for the most recent under-19 and under-16 leagues. Crawford said regardless of the results, there is talk of developing a competition series with other Caribbean countries.
“The team will play four games and a possible All-Star Game. It is the hope the high school teams from Jamaica and elsewhere can come and compete here on island as well in the future in a home and home series. The club efforts are just a part of the whole overall youth basketball development on the island. It is important that the boys continue to work hard just as the other clubs are working hard. The experience that these boys get will not only affect them on the court through teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship, but off the court as student-athletes and future leaders.
“The club is seeking opportunities to be active and make a positive impact in the community. The goal of the club is to provide a positive setting for kids to continue to develop as students and athletes.”
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