The United States Virgin Islands, ISV, in international competition, is competing in the 2024 CentroBasket U-15 Male Championships in Juarez, Mexico, Dec. 4 – 8.
The team is off to a tough start as they dropped their first two games of the tournament. ISV lost to Panama 100-73 on Wednesday in their opening game of the event. ISV fell behind early, digging themselves a 10-1 hole just four minutes into the game. Three free throws from Rubio Heywood, a layup by Micaiah Jones, and two jump shots from Te’Mhani Joseph, including a three, got the boys from the Virgin Islands right back into the game. Heywood then nailed a jump shot, giving ISV a 15-14 lead and forcing Panama to call a timeout. The game remained close until the third quarter, when ISV was outscored 21 to 12. Panama seized the lead and never looked back, winning the game by 27 points. Anibal Salazar led Panama with 18 points. Heywood was the game’s top scorer with 19 points. He also grabbed 10 rebounds. Te’Mhani Joseph added 16 points for ISV.
In their second game of the tournament, ISV took on Costa Rica. The Virgin Islands start off very slow, making only four of the 20 shots they took in the opening quarter. Things didn’t get any better for the Virgin Islands as they shot 25.6 percent from the field for the game. Joseph led the team with 18 points. Jones added 13 for ISV. Andy Mulgrave was the top performer in the game with 24 points and 14 rebounds.
Things will not get easier for ISV as they take on the powerhouse to the east, Puerto Rico, on Friday at 8:00 p.m.
Here is the roster for the team competing in Mexico:
#1 – Mason Gardner – Ivanna Eudora Kean High School
#4 – Micaiah Jones – Central High School
#5 – Te’Mhani Joseph – Ivanna Eudora Kean High School
#6 – Kareem Turnquest – Charlotte Amalie High School
#7 – Horace Magras – Central High School
#8 – Rubio Heywood – Educational Complex School
# 11 – J’Vante Harrigan – Charlotte Amalie High School
#20 – Pedro Sosa – Central High School
#25 – Nathaniel Joseph – Central High School
Head Coach – Pedrito Estrill
Team Manager – Malik Hodge
