Rookie Sean Semple the leading shot blocker at the 1991 Caricom championship in Jamaica

Mar 24, 2013 Sports

Charwayne Walker continues his series of highlight on former outstanding basketball players.  Today we look at Sean Semple.
When Sean Semple Aka Mr. Silk deplaned Norman Manley International Airport, July of 1991, the only International experience the 20 year had was being named in a Guyana 17 man squad December 4, 1989 for three Goodwill matches against Barbados so the hundred million question being asked by Basketball enthusiast before Mike Brusche’s Men depart, Timehri International, is whether Mr (Cool) could withstand the pressure from former NBA Pros ,Jamaicans Wayne, Sappleton, Andrew Kennedy, Bahamian Vincent Knowles, Bajans Andrew Alleyne Dwight Rouse and Trinidad’s Bertram Brisbane.
But the eagles Pivot had other ideas at the end of the 1991 tournament, Mr. Cool created history he became the first rookie to received the trophy for the top shot blocker he also came third in the rebound category and as a scorer he had one of tournament’s biggest games, 21 points and 13 rebounds and three block shots against the Cayman Islands.
So, Sean Semple whose critics had label as a baby, returned from Reggae Country as the (silent assassin).  His next International overseas assignment was Suriname for a Goodwill Series against SNL the Suriname army team then that country’s National Champs Runner UPS Yellowbirds and the grand finale against the Suriname National Team which narrowly defeated Guyana a month earlier at the Caricom championship in Jamaica 84 to 86.
The following year 1992 August he contested is toughest series, the German Professional Club TTL Bomery visited the land of the mighty Kaieteur Falls, this tour was the first by a European Pro Club the Germans arsenal included two players who had just represented Germany at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, two former NBA players and a 7 foot 4 inch centre. They won all three matches by wide margins.
Guyana’s next Internationals was against Barbados July 1993 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall the National Team led by Eion (Wico) Leitch won game one through Semple’s top score of 12 points.
The Bajan’s inspired by London based Pro, Nigel Lloyd 32 points rebound from the opening encounter with an emphatic victory which evened the three match series.
Although Semple top scored with 14 points for the Land of many Waters in the series decider, his effort was in vain as the Bajans won handsomely to take the Series 2 games to one.
He had a below par performance in his first International Triangular series the next month against Suriname and Washington based DC Jammers.
International July (1994)
First visit to Barbados ended in controversy as coach Rashaad withdrew is charges because of bias officiating in the Goodwill series which was arranged as both the host and Guyana were preparing for the upcoming Caricom championship in Georgetown 1994.
Strange tactics by overseas coach Erik Rashaad limited Semple’s minutes when Guyana hosted the 1994 Caricom championship demonstrating a concept of team and country before personal accomplishment.
Semple’s limited court time prove invaluable as Guyana progress to the championship finals for the first time since the Inaugural event which was also hosted by the land of the mighty Kaieteur Falls – 1981.
The same year he along with Compatriot Edgar Bol Thomas left for the United States to honour a Basketball Scholarship at Dillard University; both players were stand outs on and off the courts.
Both players returned the following year July 1995 to represent the land of the Mighty Kaieteur Falls at the Caricom championship in the Bahamas, but it was Semple who was the talk of Nassau the Bahamas Capitol, although Guyana lost all its preliminary games for the first time, Semple was one of the tournament most outstanding ‘Big Men’, his 22 points against Belize remains his career high, unfortunately this was Semple’s last International tournament for the land of many waters, he was only 24.
His biggest disappointment was when Guyana qualified for the 1995 Centro basketball Championship by placing second at the 1994 Caricom Championship but failed to attend the prestigious Central American Championship for the 4th time.
International Career
Debut – 1989 Cliff Anderson Sports Hall against Barbados Goodwill series.
Caricom Championship Debut 1991 vs Barbados, National Arena Kingston Jamaica
Career High 22 points vs Belize Nassau Bahamas 1995
International matches played (33)
Caricom championship played 1991, Jamaica 1994, Guyana, 1995, Bahamas International Tours 1991 Jamaica and Suriname, 1994, Barbados 1995, Bahamas.
Caricom championship matches played (14).
Most memorable international game for Guyana – 1991 vs Cayman Islands at National Arena Kingston Jamaica, Caricom Championship 21 points 13 Rebounds 3 blocks.
(Charwayne Walker)