UG Trojans anticipate schooling opposition

Mar 01, 2016 Sports

By Edison Jefford
The University of Guyana (UG) Trojans are relishing its opportunity to compete in the National Basketball

Lavern Thomas

Championships: The Road to Mecca III, which bounces off Friday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Sports Officer at the University, Lavern Fraser told Kaieteur Sport yesterday that the institution recognises the need to ensure that they perform at best. As a result, Fraser indicated that they are putting in the work to be ready for this weekend.
“We acknowledge that this is the highest level of basketball played in Guyana and we are happy that through our performances last year, we are seen as one of the teams credible enough to take part in the National Championships,” Fraser said.
According to the Sports Officer, the University will treat the Championships as another block in the building of its basketball programme. Fraser indicated that they are not interested in building teams alone, but also developing lasting programmes.
As such, she contended that the country’s highest institution of learning will aim to give a good account of itself in the competition. The University of Guyana Trojans will open their classroom against Pepsi Sonics at 9:00pm on Saturday, hoping to teach the Mandela Avenue-based team some valuable lessons.
To do so, former Pacesetter and national forward, Naylon Loncke, who is a trained teacher, will be leading the class. His support will come from national point guard, Emmanuel Archibald and veteran forward, Ewart Smith. The team is expected to be without Akeem ‘The Dream’ Kanhai, who is overseas.
However, Fraser was adamant that their programme is not built on one player. She said that they are prepared for whatever challenge may arise. “A lot of our players are not from clubs, which is even more noteworthy that we can compete at this level,” Fraser said, confidently adding “we are good enough to tangle with the top clubs in Mecca”.
The National Championship, which is being held when Guyana is celebrating its Golden Jubilee, brings together 16 of the Guyana’s top clubs from New Amsterdam, Georgetown and Linden for three weekends of rivalry to determine the best club.
More significantly, the winning team will have the right to be remembered as the one that won the title in a historic year. It is a fitting encouragement for UG Trojans ahead of possibly one of its biggest games on its enduring timetable.