Caribbean Rose will like to congratulate the VI Jaguars Basketball Team for reaching the Consolation Championship at the 50th Annual International Small Fry Tournament. Mason Ross and Kaymen Robertson combined to hit eight fourth-quarter free throws, as the Homewood Vikings held off a comeback effort by the VI Jaguars Basketball Team to win their fifth Consolation Championship. Justin Nichols led the Vikings with 12 points and Ross added 10, as Homewood rebounded from a 20-11 halftime deficit. The VI Jaguars Basketball Team captured the 2013 Consolation Championship and improved to 7th place in 2015.
To reach the Consolation Championship the Jaguars played several games. On Monday, April 2, 2018, the VI Jaguars Basketball Team defeated the Vega Baja Small Fry Basketball Team 48-36. The Jaguars overcame a 27-11 halftime deficit by scoring 15 points in the fourth period. Leroy Blyden scored 15 points to lead the Jaguars and Elijah Peltier scored 12 points.
On Tuesday, April 3, 2018, the VI Jaguars Basketball Team played two games. The VI Jaguars Basketball Team was defeated by the Highwood Small Fry Basketball Team 45-39. The Heat used a balanced attack to prevail, as Brandon Rieger scored 12 points, Miles Cohan added 10 points and Alex Finger finished with eight markers. The Jaguars saw a late run fall short, as Elijah Pettier scored 11 points and Leroy Blyden finished with eight points.
In the second game of the day, the VI Jaguars Basketball Team defeated the Bucaplaa Small Fry Basketball Team 39-18. The Jaguars turned up the defense to advance to the consolation semifinals, limiting Bucaplaa to five first-half points before gaining a 14-4 scoring advantage in the third quarter. Elijah Pettier scored eight points and Vern Frett seven points to lead the Jaguars, while five points from Ernesto Ramon led Bucaplaa.
On Wednesday, April 4, 2018, the VI Jaguars Basketball Team defeated Chi-Town NBN 53-41. The Jaguars used a 21-8 fourth-quarter scoring margin to pull away and earn a spot in the consolation title game, behind scoring leaders Elijah Peltier (15 points), Leroy Blyden (10 points) and Tazhaun Donadelle (nine points). Chi-Town got twin 14-point efforts from Aminu Habib and Lavarus Bracey.
Saint Croix Positive Guidance Tournament
March 3, 2018
Back Row (left to right): Coach Fred Kopko, C'Kai Frett, Elijah Peltier, Tazhaun Donadelle, Darius Peets, K'Nard Callendar, and Assistant Coach Wayne Harvey.
Front Row (left to right): Kareem Pinney, Jamarr Robinson, Lorenz Penn, Jaden Dowe, and Nitsuh Williams.
The 2018 Virgin Islands Jaguars Basketball Team
2018 VI Jaguars Paradise Showdown
March 9 - 12, 2018
The 2017 Virgin Islands Jaguars Basketball team
The 2018 VI Jaguars Basketball Team traveled to St. Croix on March 3, 2018, to compete in the 2018 Saint Croix Positive Guidance Tournament.
50th Annual Small Fry International Basketball Tournament
April 2 - 5, 2018
The 2018 VI Jaguars Basketball Team won the 2018 Paradise Showdown. Teams from the U.S.V.I., Puerto Rico and St. Croix competed in the tournament. Neltjeberg Bay Enterprises paid for all teams to travel and compete in the tournament. Which included airfare, hotel accommodations, food, etc. After the tournament, a pig roast was held at Magens Bay Beach for all participants.