Bermuda High School Select 41

St. George's International 36

A Bermuda High School Select wrapped up preparation for their upcoming trip to Las Vegas with an encouraging 41-36 win over CellularOne Premier Basketball League champions St. George's International at CedarBridge on Academy Saturday evening.

After being granted admission to the Las Vegas School High School Christmas Classic over the festive holiday, the young squad showed their worth on the way to a morale-boosting victory.

Using the game as a final warm-up for the US tournament, they exacted revenge on last week's league loss to the same opposition – 56-31.

Forward Richard Warner paced the Select team with 11 points while Jonathon Lowe dropped in eight to assist in the scoring department.

The high school team, including both private and public school players, was assembled by national team player Chris Crumpler and have been involved in the local basketball league en route to preparing themselves for what lies ahead in the desert.

The 15-man all-star squad leave Bermuda on Boxing Day to head to the 'City of Lights' in good spirits following a disciplined schedule which has included study and rigorous training.

Crumpler, who is also head coach of CedarBridge Academy, is pleased by the talent shown by his young charges and will be hoping that at least one of the members can catch the eye of US college scouts who will be at the tournament.

After taking a team to Las Vegas last year, Crumpler told The Royal Gazette earlier this month that now was the ideal time to get the best of Bermuda's young athletes exposed to international competition.

"I'm so excited as last year there was a 16-team tournament in which scouts were watching the games via webcast and this year we are going to a 32-team tournament," Crumpler stated.

"Every summer and Christmas I want my boys to go away and get involved in camps and tournaments because that's the best way for them to get exposure."