Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
IT IS full steam ahead for the 18th Caribbean Basketball Championships as former WNBA Seattle Storm centre Simone Edwards joined Jamaica's training camp yesterday, a little under a week ahead of the competition's June 12 start.
Edwards, who retired from the WNBA last month after a seven-year career which was highlighted by winning a championship with the Storm in 2004, was the last player to join the contingent which has now had two full training sessions.
According to men's team coach, Elfraito Remikie, the sessions have gone splendidly despite the high level of competition for the available 24 spots.
"Everybody is in very high spirits right now and the competition for spots on the team is very high," Remikie said. "I believe this is the most talented group of players that we have ever used and I think that is a very good thing for our basketball."
However, even while players will be cut from the squad, the coach stressed that the long-term goal was for all the players to learn the system in instances where some players may be unavailable for future events.
Defending champions Cuba, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will make up Group A, while Jamaica will be placed in Group B along with Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis and the US Virgin Islands.
The women's championships will be contested by Jamaica, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda and the Bahamas. Defending champions Cuba and runners-up Puerto Rico did not make the trip, leaving the Jamaican women favourites.
