The inaugural Battle by the Beach Tournament in the Cayman Islands proved to be a steep learning curve for Bermuda Basketball Association’s under-16 team.

The island’s youngsters lost their four matches 75-45 and 80-64 against Tallahassee and 63-55, 64-57 against the Caymans.

The tournament was reduced to just three teams after Port Arthur, from Texas, and teams from British Virgin Islands and US Virgin Islands were forced to withdraw owing to the effects of Hurricane Beryl.

The BBA used the tournament as an opportunity to expedite the player’s development while providing them with an opportunity to experience what it takes to play against more experienced, physically superior opposition.

“The players are learning what it takes to compete on the international level against teams who compete and play to their strengths,” head coach Gladstone Simons told The Royal Gazette.

“The teams we were playing against have access to daily training and facilities. Our hope is to replicate that by finding a permanent facility to call home.

“The only alternative is to get our athletes into boarding schools in the United States and Canada in order to have that same opportunity for development. We currently have five players who will be returning or attending boarding schools this fall.

“The BBA has recently formed partnerships with Bermuda Youth Basketball and Global Education Sports Partnership in order to develop and showcase our talent on island while providing an avenue that players can aspire to play basketball at a higher level. Our goal is to continue to grow this beautiful game.”

The BBA under-16 team was comprised of Paul Ashton, Amir Brangman-Johnson, Ajani Carey, Quinton Husband, Blake Johnston, Maxwell Lawrence, Stasio Rayner-Weller, Ralph E Scott, Maximus Simons, Rajan Simons, Lachlan Thompson and Devin Todd who were accompanied by assistant coach Ralph Scott and team manager Nea Simons.

Seven team members were making their international debut and impressed the coaching staff with their courage and resilience.

Under-16 pair Ashton and Todd have since joined up with the BBA’s under-18 team competing in the DBC Invitational hosted by DJ Sports Club in Montreal, Quebec, this week.

The under-18s, who will come up against various club teams within the region, is comprised of Cameron Basden, Tristan Currelly, Anton Harris-Gilbert, Jacob Hines, Elmer Martinez, Zycori Powell-Nisbett, Jonah Simmons, Jordan Smith and Szaine Williams. The team will be accompanied in Montreal by head coach Tim Trott.