Anguilla’s under-15 basketball team claimed bronze at the 2026 Paradise Showdown in St Maarten, beating St Eustatius 77–28.
The game saw the team bounce back from their semi-final defeat to the British Virgin Islands team, who went on to capture the championship title.
Anguilla’s impressive third-place finish marked an improvement on seventh place in 2024 and fifth in 2025, the Anguilla Amateur Basketball Association said in a press release.
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“Our basketball programme continues to move in the right direction, and these results are a testament to the hard work, commitment and development of our young athletes,” it added.
Four of Anguilla’s players – Collanni Joseph, Yohandi Charles, Tahjae Connor and Sion Thomas – were selected to play in the tournament’s All-Star Game.
Separately, Joseph and Connor were named to the All-Tournament First Team, while Charles was named to the Second Team in recognition of their performances throughout the competition.
The association thanked coaches, Cuthbert Jackson and Rudy Webster, and team manager Keischa Brooks, for their leadership and dedication throughout the tournament.
“Special recognition goes to our players for their commitment, resilience, and determination, and to the parents who have continued to trust the process and support their development every step of the way.
“We are also deeply grateful to our sponsors and supporters, whose contributions helped make this opportunity possible,” it added.
The players returned to Anguilla by ferry from St Martin on 8 October, where they received a warm welcome from family and friends.
“While we may not be bringing home the championship trophy, we return with bronze medals, individual accolades, invaluable experience and even greater motivation for the future,” the association said.
The association thanked the Performance Sports Academy for hosting the Paradise Showdown, which it called “one of the most well-organised youth basketball tournaments in the region”.
It is “consistently setting a high standard in tournament management, media coverage, player, coach and referee development, and opportunities for growth”, the press release said.
