The Shining Stars Childhood Care and Education Centre are a legitimate title contender.
The side finished second at 4-4 in division one in the Cayman Islands Basketball Association 2012 national men’s league. Now the side is one series away from a shot at the national championship.
Star forward Curtis Wilson states his squad has the potential for glory.
“I feel very good about our team,” Wilson said. “We have a lot of returning players as well as some new key additions. We have a good chance of success this season. Now that we have played each team once, we can better assess match-ups and can work on fixing any mistakes we may have originally made.”
Shining Stars now play an opening round playoff series against the defending champions Dominos Warriors. Game one is this Saturday, 5 May, at 6.30pm at Camana Bay’s Arts and Recreation Centre. Dominos, 4-4, were third in the league behind top scores Collin Anglin (21.4 points per game) and Borislav Djordjic (23.3ppg in four contests).
Wilson was the team’s leading scorer this year, averaging 16.6 points. However he had a sub-par game against the Warriors in the season finale last Sunday, a 90-47 loss at Camana Bay. His nine points and 10 rebounds was supported by Stephen Shaw’s 10 points and five rebounds.
Dominos meanwhile had four players in double figures in Anglin (23 points, 10 assists, six rebounds), Djordjic (21 points, 12 rebounds), Kenval Bryan (16 points, 14 rebounds, six assists) and Luigi Moxam (14 points off three three-pointers).
The Shining Stars ended their regular season campaign with two straight losses, after falling to the unbeaten Esso Blazers by three points in early April. Nevertheless players like William Peguero, 29, are confident. The flag football star, who had 0 points and four rebounds in the loss to Dominos, states his side have the right personnel.
“We have good chemistry and a great nucleus,” Peguero said. “We can stay out there and there is chemistry together. It’s an unselfish group that relies on each other.
“Daniel Augustine and Redver Ebanks (who are player coaches) steer us in the right direction. Curtis (Wilson) is an outstanding player, Adam Milburn adds intensity to the team and Denton Cole helps our defence focus really good.
“We play through everything, good and bad. Just like with all of the other sports you have to have a short-term memory. You have to forget wins and losses quickly. It’s a great team that wins and loses together.”
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