Virgin Gorda Bayside Blazers are the champions of the 9th edition of the Battle of the Fittest Basketball Tournament in St Maarten. Photo: Facebook

The Blazers, coached by Brian S. Brewley aka ‘Bash’ and managed by Julian Willock, defeated Aruba 74-61 in the championship game at the LB Scott Sports Auditorium in Philipsburg, the capital city of Dutch St Maarten, last night, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Photo: Facebook

The team from Virgin Gorda also pocketed the cash prize of $10,000 and ensured the title returned to the [British] Virgin Islands. Photo: Facebook

A section of the crowd at the championship game of the Battle of the Fittest Basketball Tournament at LB Scott Sports Auditorium in Philipsburg on July 20, 2024. Photo: Facebook

VG Bayside Blazers collected a large cheque for $10,000 for winning the 9th edition of Battle of the Fittest in St Maarten. Photo: Facebookand ensured the title returned to the [British] Virgin Islands.

VG Bayside Blazers defeated Aruba 74-61 in the championship game at the LB Scott Sports Auditorium in Philipsburg, the capital city of Dutch St Maarten, last night, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Photo: Facebook

The Blazers, coached by Brian S. Brewley aka ‘Bash’ and managed by Julian Willock, defeated Aruba 74-61 in the championship game at the LB Scott Sports Auditorium in Philipsburg, the capital city of Dutch St Maarten, last night, Saturday, July 20, 2024.

The team from Virgin Gorda also pocketed the cash prize of $10,000 and ensured the title returned to the [British] Virgin Islands. Skillful Ballers won the 2023 BOTF championship.

The VG Bayside Blazers led in every quarter with as low as 6 to as high as 23 points against the Aruba Team.

Top scorers for Bayside Blazers were Anthony J. Smith and Raheem E. Carter with 19 points each, followed by Ahkeel. J. Boyd with 17 points. Mr Boyd was also named as the MVP of the BOTF Tournament.

Virgin Gordian Kimani T. Stevens came in with 11 points and was extremely excellent on the defence against Aruba.

Tortola's Skillful Ballers forfeit 3rd place game

Meanwhile, Tortola’s Skillful Ballers protested their 3rd place standing in the finals and refused to play, forfeiting the game to St Maarten for the third place. The team is coached by Ronald Simmons aka ‘Gola’.

Proud moment- Willock

"It was a moment of sweet victory for my team ‘VG Bayside Blazers’, having emerged as the 2024 Battle of the Fittest Basketball Tournament Champions. It was a long-fought battle and our team prevailed in St Maarten," VG Bayside Blazers' manager Julian Willock commented on his Facebook page this morning, July 21, 2024.

Mr Willick said capturing the title was a result of the team staying focused, disciplined, being team players and playing by the rules.

The VG Bayside Blazers platinum sponsor was Biras Creek Resort. Other contributors included Skelton Group of Companies, Hon Lorna G. Smith OBE, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley, Nagico Insurances, Clive L. McCoy, Ephraim E. Penn, Cliff W. Williams, Steven T. Washburn and Northam Construction.