Jaguars show well in P.R.
Published: January 14, 2013
Font size: [A] [A] [A]
The V.I.'s Collins Joseph Jr., left, looks to put up a shot during a Small Fry basketball tournament game in San Juan this weekend.
The Virgin Islands Jaguars won three straight games before falling in the Puerto Rico Small Fry tournament on Sunday.
Founded in 1968, International Small Fry Basketball provides development for shorter boys and girls. Players in the Jaguars, a team of 12 boys from ages 9 to 13, must be 5-foot-1 or shorter to compete in April's 45th International Small Fry Tournament in Orlando, Fla.
Puerto Rico has some of the top Small Fry teams, and coach Fred Kopko thought the Puerto Rico tournament would be a good test for his squad.
Jardines beat the Jaguars, 34-32, in the championship game. Collins Joseph Jr., a student at Ss. Peter and Paul, had team highs of nine points and eight rebounds and chipped in four blocks.
"Even though we experienced a heartbreaking loss, our performance was a clear demonstration to all teams, fans, players, officials, tournament directors and parents in the Small Fry community that the Virgin Islands Jaguars are a legitimate contender for the upcoming Small Fry Championship in Orlando," assistant coach Wayne Harvey said in a press release.
Harvey noted that teams from Puerto Rico have won the last seven titles in Orlando.
In the team's second game, Harvey's son Isaiah led the Jaguars with 12 points, five assists and three steals in a 29-12 win over Bucaplaa. Isaiah is a student at Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School.
Addelita Cancryn student Tremoi Martin scored 12 points in a 42-11 blowout over Arecibo.
LeQuan George (BCB), Isaiah Harvey and Collins each had 10 points in a 35-19, tournament-opening win over Torima.
- Contact Tim Chapman at 714-9102 or tchapman@dailynews.vi.
To comment you must first create a profile and sign-in with a verified DISQUS account or social network ID. Sign up here.
Comments in violation of the rules will be denied, and repeat violators will be banned. Please help police the community by flagging offensive comments for our moderators to review. By posting a comment, you agree to our full terms and conditions. Click here to read terms and conditions.
