Spartans TT basketball programme made a triumphant return from Grenada, capturing both the Under-15 and U-20 titles at the Spice Isle Invitational Basketball Championships.
The thrilling finals, held at the La Borie Indoor Sporting Complex, showcased the skill and determination of the young T&T athletes.
In the U-15 final, Spartans TT, led by tournament MVP Zachary Julien, overcame a fierce challenge from Grenada’s Tornadoes SC. Julien delivered an outstanding performance, recording 20 points, 12 assists, and six steals, marking his second double-double of the tournament. His efforts were complemented by sharpshooter Idriis Martin, who added 26 points, five assists, and four steals. Despite a valiant effort from Tornadoes’ Ori Ikdo, who scored 22 points, Spartans TT proved too strong, outscoring their opponents 32-19 in the second half to secure the victory.
The U-20 final saw a rematch between Spartans TT and Tornadoes SC, with the Grenadian team eager to avenge their earlier defeat. The home team started strong, fueled by the support of the local crowd, and quickly established a 14-6 lead. However, Spartans TT’s relentless defense and strategic adjustments allowed them to close the gap and tie the game at 30 points apiece by halftime. The Spartans continued their momentum into the third quarter, with Julien scoring nine of his 11 points in the period, ultimately leading his team to a 26-21 advantage.
The final quarter was marked by another standout performance from the 15-year-old Julien, who added 11 points to his tally, finishing the game with 30 points, eight steals, and six rebounds, earning his second MVP title of the tournament. He was ably supported by 16-year-old small forward William Francis, who contributed 14 of his 23 points in the final quarter, helping Spartans TT secure the win and claim both championship titles.
Head Coach Morgan Shade expressed immense pride in his team’s performance, saying, “We faced tough competition from Tornadoes, especially as a foreign team playing against the undefeated home favourites. But our boys kept their composure and took care of business.”
At the closing ceremony, Tornadoes’ coach and president of the Grenada Basketball Association, Keston Elcock, praised Spartans TT for bringing a different level of energy and play to Grenada. He also expressed excitement about travelling to T&T for the Basketball Fiesta in 2025.