3×3 Basketball: Guyana knocked out in Caribbean Clash semi-finals

The national Men’s 3×3 basketball team made a strong showing at the Caribbean Clash 3×3 Lite Quest in Suriname, but their journey ended in the semi-finals after a 21-17 defeat to St. Maarten.

The team, represented by Akil Hughes, Travis Belgrave, Nikkoloi Smith and Shelroy Thomas, had a mixed yet impressive performance throughout the eight-team, two-day tournament.

Their most exciting moment came in the quarter-finals, where they fought through a nail-biting 22-20 overtime victory over Team Georgetown from the USA, with Belgrave hitting the game-winner.

That win saw them picking up a spot in the penultimate round, where they hoped to keep their momentum going.

With a spot in the FIBA 3×3 Challenger in Brazil on the line, the team fell just short.

On the opening day, Guyana showed promise, winning two out of three games in the group stage.

They bounced off their campaign with a narrow 15-14 victory over Suriname, then followed it up with a solid 21-17 win against Trinidad and Tobago.

Those victories gave the squad a boost of confidence going into their final group match, but unfortunately, they suffered a 15-20 loss to St. Lucia, which ultimately left them in second place in the group.

Despite the disappointment of being knocked out in the semi-finals, the team’s overall performance in Suriname is a positive sign for the future of 3×3 basketball in Guyana.

According to the GBF, the  tournament was not just an opportunity to test their skills, but also a critical part of the team’s preparations for major upcoming events, including the Commonwealth Games and the Central American and Caribbean Games, where Guyana will make its debut in 3×3 basketball.

The Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) has been instrumental in pushing for the development of the sport in the country, and the tournament in Suriname was part of their strategy to prepare the team for the international stage.