May 13, 2013 at 12:41 a.m.
ECL has new lease of life, says BBA chief
ECL has new lease of life, says BBA chief
The draft system places the best 72 players on the island in six teams who over the season go head to head at the Somersfield Academy.
With the draft providing a more even spread of talent across the sides, the emphasis is purposely placed on coaching techniques and tactics.
Cecil Hendrickson says the league has been kick-started this year after the ‘bare bones’ version last year. A title sponsor and a sponsor for all but two of the teams has upped the interest levels.
Annoyed by the lack of fanfare the national team got after their past two Island Games triumphs, Hendrickson has set about reinvigorating the league.
He said: “A couple of times our national team has been triumphant abroad at the Island Games and had ‘parades’ in the street where they’ve won. They come home and they have a couple of folks there to greet them. So one of the things I knew we had to do was push the grassroots level so people knew what was going on.”
He added: “The league is doing really well. We have the guys from Trinity Sounds who are a group of very positive DJs so they been able to bring a lot of their following to the game. That’s created a good atmosphere.
Just two teams – the defending champions the Bluebirds and the Storm – currently do not have sponsors. They have maintained their name from last year but are open to change should a sponsor come on board.
As for who’s going to win the title, Hendrickson naturally backed the team he coaches – the Panthers – to claim the glory.
He said: “As vice president I have to say on current form the defending champions Bluebirds. But I have to have extreme confidence in my team, the Panthers and as coach I believe at the end of the season we’ll be hoisting the trophy above my head and spraying some champagne.’
Saturday’s match action
The second week of the league saw the Outback sports bar Outlaws defeat the struggling Trinity Sound Lions.
The Lions were holding their own in the first half when the Outlaws player coach Graham Robinson put on a three-point display going for five straight to end the half.
The final score of 65-45 was led by Robinson's 21 points for Outlaws and Reggie Tolossa 21 for Lions. With the two stars cancelling each other out it was the role players who made the difference.
Game 2 saw the battle of the undefeated teams but only the defending champions would emerge at 3-0 thanks to Dion Beans’ 16 , while the Panthers were led by Sean Hutchinson's 13.
It was obvious at the start that the usually high-powered offense of the Panthers was missing after their top scorers for the season, Kevin Stephens and Ronnie Bushner, getting of to a slow start.
The champions, missing Chris Crumpler, showed their pedigree by playing a scrappy game but beating the Panthers to every loose ball. After being down by as much as 22 the finally came to within four only to lose by eight with the final score 49 -41.
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