The 2017 V.I. Jaguars Basketball Team

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The V.I.  Jaguars Basketball team returned from the 49th Annual Small Fry  Basketball Tournament held at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex with some notable accomplishments.

The team won their first game against Florida to advance to the 24-team International Varsity bracket. Fifty teams arrived in Orlando for the  2017 tournament from across the United States, Puerto Rico, and  Columbia. The Jaguars finished the tournament with a 15th-place finish and defeated a Chicago team along the way. Veterans Devonte Callwood,  Khamani Olivacee, and Nekwante Sprauve led the way, with Elijah Peltiner being the standout on defense.

This year a V.I. player won the annual three-point trophy. Tazhaun Donadelle, advanced through to the finals with sharp shooting from the 3-pt stripe to beat all competitors from the other 50 teams.

The entire Jaguars coaching staff is proud of the hard work and improvement of the team since it began practices in September 2016. Commitment, teamwork, and understanding opposing offensive and defensive strategies were stressed to the players all season. In its sixth consecutive year, the program has provided instruction to close to 100 children from the territory. 

The  Chicago Marquette best Small Fry Basketball team won the 6th Annual  Small Fry Paradise Showdown. They narrowly defeated the V.I. Jaguars for the title. The St. Croix/Tortola All-Stars took third place. Teams from  Chicago, Tortola, and the United States Virgin Islands competed in the tournament.  

2017 Small Fry Paradise Showdown Schedule

Friday, March 24, 2017 - 6:00 pm
V.I. Jaguars vs St. Croix Positive Guidance

Saturday, March 25, 2017 - 10:00 am
St. Croix Positive Guidance vs Chicago Best

Saturday, March 25, 2017 - 1:00 pm
V.I. Jaguars vs Chicago Best

Sunday, March 26, 2017
Games to be announced.

 The V.I. Jaguars won the 2017 Positive  Guidance Small Fry Invitational Tournament. The Jaguars were undefeated  during they championship run. Leading the Jaguars were Khamani Olivacee  with 25 points and Nekwante Sprauve with 24 points in the three games.   Devante Callwood and Khani Turnbull contributed 10 and 9 rebounds  respectively.  

 The V.I. Jaguars recently played a reuni  game featuring past and present players. The Small Fry Reunion game occurred at the Audie Henneman Gymnasium at the Bertha C. Boschulte  Middle School on Saturday, February 25, 2017. 

Players in attendance are Jahfari Samuel, Tremoi Martin, Raekoi Evans, Jaleen  Roberts, Jeremiah James, Kimmo Emmanuel, Jahseem Dawson, Andy Thompson,  Jahsief Benjamin, Elijah McCoy, DeShamoi Bridgewater Greaves, and  Divyesh Gurnani. 

 The V.I. Jaguars competed in the 2017 Puerto Rico Invitational on January 13 - 16, 2017. They returned with a  4-1 record, losing only to the  Rexville BC Basketball Team by one point on   buzzer shot.  The Jaguars defeated Bucapalaa 41-30, Naranjito 49-24,  Caguas Libac 35-19 and CIAPR 35-28. Imran Charles led the Jaguars with  43 points and 30 rebounds for the tournament.  Nekwante Sprauve contributed 25 points and Khamani Olivacee 26 points overall.  The  Jaguars will host the Virgin Island ParadiseShowdown on  March 24, 2017. Teams from Chicago, St. Croix, and Puerto Rico will compete in the tournament.