20th Kashif & Shanghai Football Opening Night Pics

The king was in the stadium. Pele! Pele! Pele!

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No Foul, Fun At Fung

For years 53 David Street, Kitty was known for two things, lessons in English by Miss Fung and lessons in basketball by the Fung Brothers, nothing has changed. For almost a decade the Fung boys have been hosting a sweat (what we Guyanese call a pick-up game of basketball) and if not for the final sibling being a girl, the starting five would be complete but I digress. This story is not of the Fung Family but rather the half basketball court in their otherwise backyard. Adequate space for 3-on-3 with room for 1-on-1 isolations (never a good idea though, in here teamwork is always better). Official size backboard and hoop and in through backyard ball fashion, no markings just a crack in the well laid surface for the free-throw line. Classic!!! Balls are never a problem, if they buy in bulk I don’t know, but we’re never without. In here games go to 6(winner’s out). The level of play is stiff (to say the least), competition is endless (some nights as much as 20 players) and time's never a factor, it starts around 8pm most nights and finishes when it finishes (11pm the earliest). They are no stars here, you check your ego at the gate or for the hosts upstairs. You either bring you’re A-game or relegate yourself to the perfectly situated viewing area (aka THE TANK) all night.

From outside you would never imagine a brightly lit wonderful game of basketball and noise is in progress, yes noise! The neighbourhood is library quiet at night, but as you make your way through evidence of a learning facility and Cinderella’s garage (there’s a carriage here for whatever reason) you wonder how Miss Fung can put up with the marketlike sounds in the air. I once inquired and the answer I got was pretty simple and altruistic, she prefers to have us here playing basketball and making noise than for us to do the devil’s work with idle time and hands. And she’s so right, for in here there’s no idle time or hands, or legs, body or brains, it’s a full workout, and sometimes I feel the need to use your brains is more frequent than your muscles. Point here, your brain tells you when to take a jumper and not assume that the open lane for a lay-up would be the easier path to a point. Fouls are seldom called, and even least given.

My only rule about playing ball here is to never play consecutive nights, a man’s body isn’t built for it but trust me the action and intensity of this backyard cannot be matched any other place in this country. There’s a thin line between wildness and toughplay and in the yard we stay on that line never crossing it. Friends become enemies (frenemies) for 6 baskets and then we laugh it off at the end of the night.

To dominate here your jumpshot has to be on. Few times I’ve seen dominance here, but I’m too much of a competitor to give names.

Basketball is a beautiful game and here is a beautiful place to play (if you don’t mind hopping a fence every once and a while when bad shots or blocks enter the next yard – the only con about this place). Even that minute flaw in architecture isn’t enough to sway ballers away. So whenever you need a sweat, come on down, just remember fouls will not be called but it’s still fun at Fung.

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Ravens Basketball Club Wins It All

Ravens reign, Pacesetters defamed
By Kiev Chesney

Courts Pacesetters began this season with both of their teams ranked number one. But in their first outing the Pacesetters, outfitted in bright yellow failed to shine, instead they faded into to shadows; it was ‘Ravens time’.
The chant (Ravens time) known to heart Ravens fans and players resonated the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Sunday night as Ravens defeated Pacesetters in both the third division and open category to sweep the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) knockout tournament.
In the first encounter of the evening, Ravens’ juniors
set the tone by their dethroning arch adversaries 71-69. Ravens overcame several leads by Pacesetters who jumped ahead on the champions on some brief offensive splurges but their Ravens defence kept them within striking range.
Setters led 17-13 after the first period, but in the second period, Ravens gave two-time dunk out champion Tyrone Hamid his drivers’ license. Hamid who ended with a game high of 24 points, violated the Pacesetters zone defence as he repeatedly drove through to the basket. Hamid was quick beating the Pacesetters guards off the top of the key and caused trouble in the paint as the rotating forwards got in fouls trouble in their attempts to stop him.
Raven’s rode the Hamid train and led 38-37 at halftime, before forward Dellon Davidson took over late in the third quarter and early in the fourth. Davidson who scored 15 points battled on the both the offensive and defensive glass and got to the foul line where his respectable shooting put Ravens ahead. Marlon ‘Ten’ Haynes would also switch on the fourth quarter hitting a few clutch jumpers, as Ravens got a more all-round offensive effort in the fourth to close things off.
Pacesetters junior national forward Drexel Amsterdam assaulted the offensive glass and ended with 15 points. His fearless post-play was instrumental in keeping Raven’s captain Keno George on the bench since he picked up four fouls in the first half. Travis Williams hit two three-pointers during his team leading 16 points. One of Williams’ shots gave his team a one-point lead with less than five minutes remaining. Ravens had loss the last few head to head encounters.
Ravens first division on the other hand, secured a more convincing victory against their rivals 88-71. Street ball legend Stephon ‘Penny’ Henry got the starting opportunity to executed Ravens game plan early along with Rodwell Fortune and Kevin Lawrence in the backcourt. Their plan was to run down Pacesetters on defense early and so that they could benefit from their explosive transition game.
Pacesetters limited their transition game but three pointer from Penny and Lawrence kept Pacesetters on their heels early. Pacesetter backup point guard Aubrey Smith was instant offense off the bench dropping a quick four point in his first few rundowns while most of his teammates struggled as they trailed 18-22.
Ravens captain Darcel Harris made his make in game in the decisive second quarter where the Ravens progressively crept away from Pacesetters. Harris’s defensive pressure in the backcourt forced many turnovers and allowed his team to get their transition game going. During the final six minutes of the second quarter Harris had five steals, and the Ravens finished the first half strong 42-33. To put an exclamation mark on the halftime score line Ryan Stephney drove strong to the basket, drew the defenders and then found an open Ryan Gullen in the low post, who rose up and rocked the rim with a one-handed dunk.
Ravens then outscored Pacesetters 22-11 in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.Dwayne ‘Brown Sugar’ Roberts scored 17 points while Fortune scored 15 and Marlon Rodrigues who drilled three three-pointers added ten.

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Leon 'Hurry Up' Moore Attacks Asia

Moore and Holland after a workout at the NOVATEL Hotel Gym in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Moore and his manager met fans in the hotel's lobby, signing autographs and taking photos.

The Caribbean's Highest Rated Professional Boxer Leon 'Hurry Up' Moore is on his way to his new Asian training camp in Bankok, Thailand. Moore along with Manager Carwyn Holland and Coach Lennox Daniels left Guyana last Wednesday, intransiting in Trinidad and spent a short three day Holiday in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Moore and team spent some time at the Luxurious Novatel Hotel and toured several places including an all purpose gym in Sao Paulo and the Mayor's Office before heading out to Dubai, and Singapore... The Guyanese team is scheduled for an interview with ESPN and HBO Asia over the coming days before heading over to the spanking new KO Entertainment Gym, in Bankok, Thailand. Moore and Daniels will remain in Thailand for the three months, while the former world promoter of the year, Holland is expected back early December to announce his December 27 Card named "Season's Beatings". Former Boxing Manager/Promoter Keith Bazilio is expected to assist Holland in the preperations for the fight in his absence. The card is expected to be headlined by Guyana's most feared boxer Mitchell Rogers who will do battle with and opponent from overseas. Holland recently organised the highly successful Caribbean Fury World Title Fight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, which saw a return of the many fans to the boxing arena.
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Beepat Scorpions 7th Annual All-Star Weekend Night 2

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Big Up the whole WILDFIRE team....thanks for the support.

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Beepat Scorpions 7th Annual All-Star Weekend Night 1

If you missed the first night....Please dont miss tonight. It was CRAZY!!!!

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KEVIN WORREL MEMORIAL BBALL PICS

R.I.P Kevin Worrel.

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Caribbean Fury Boxing Pics

GALLERY 1 2 3

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Caribbean Fury Fight Night

CLICK READ MORE TO SEE FULL CARD

The Caribbean Fury
Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Georgetown, Guyana
Sept. 26, 2009
Televised by: CaribVision, NCN

Corinne "Sexy Panther" DeGroot (11-0) 5kos
vs.
Shondell "Mystery Lady" Alfred (10-5) 3kos - Guyana Champion
WIBA Bantamweight Title Fight (118lbs fight)
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Leon "Hurry Up" Moore (24-2) 23kos - WBC #7 & Guyana Champion
vs.
Mauricio Pastrana - (35-11) 22kos - Former World Champion
NABA, WBA Fedelatin, WBA Fedecaribe, (118lbs fight)
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"The Battersea Bomber" Howard Eastman (45-6) 35kos - Former British, Commonwealth & European Champion
vs.
"The Fighting Policeman" Kevin Placide (11-4) 6kos - World Boxing Empire Champion
(160 lbs fight)
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Iwan "Pure Gold" Azore - (11-3) 2kos - Guyana Welterweight Champion
vs.
Wayne Briggs (7-16) 2kos
(151 lbs fight)
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Mitchell Rogers - (5-1) 5kos - Guyana Heavyweight Champion
vs.
Leon Gilkes (4-11) 2kos
(Heavyweight Fight)
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Dexter Marques (4-1) 3kos - Former Guyana Champion
vs.
Hewley Robinson (0-1)
(Super Bantamweight Fight)

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Paul Lewis Jnr (1w-1L) 1ko
vs.
Shawn Pile (0w-2L)

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Guyana's Sexy Gladiator

Meet the ‘Sexy Panther’ Corinne Van Rick De Groot

By Best of D Best

When the first bell in the S and S Promotions in collaboration with Holland Entertainment Promotions (HEP)/Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) sanctioned Caribbean Fury sounds next Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Guyana’s Shaundell Alfred will face Canada’s Corinne De Groot in the feature bout for the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) bantamweight title.

But the question that may be lingering on the minds of many boxing fans maybe, ‘Who is Corinne Van Rick De Groot, also known as the ‘Sexy Panther’?’

Born on the 5th June 1969 in Canada to Guyana’s very own Aubrey and Laureen Van Rick De Groot, it is already a known fact that she is of Guyanese descent, but what some may not know, is De Groot is also the newest member on the NBC’s hit show "American Gladiators", where she is the sexy, powerful and agile Panther.

She also boasts an unblemished 11-0 record in the square circle as a professional boxer, with seven of her victories coming by way of knockout, as she climbed her way to the number two spot in the WIBA bantamweight (118lbs) division.

De Groot also had the opportunity of gracing the silver screen with her eccentric presence, appearing in films such as, "The Guardian" opposite Kevin Costner and Aston Kutcher, while she co-starred with Billy Zane in, "Bet your life".

Several other television series has seen her acting skills, with The Middle Man, ABC's "LOST", NBC's "HEROES", CBS's "Ghost Whispers" and Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) NY being a few, while she was the winner of the NBC’s/Joel Silver award for her performance in ‘The Next Action Star’.

But that’s just her acting ability which many boxing fans and even some pundits are unaware of, and what may be as a surprise to many, is the fact that she is a celebrity trainer whose clientele includes Damon Wayans, Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopez, Richard Gladstein and Ali Larter of NBC's hit "HEROES" to name a few.

Prior to entering the entertainment arena, De Groot was a police officer in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and holds a degree in Criminology and English from Carleton University..

De Groot began her boxing career in West Palm Beach, Florida in 1998 under the tutelage of veteran trainer Ronnie Shields and her first training camp was full of future world champions.

"My very first training camp was an incredible experience. Lou Duva had all of his fighters in West Palm Beach, Florida and I was able to watch and learn from Fernando Vargas, Zab Judah, Hassim Rackman, Robbie Peden and Andrew Gollata, just to name a few" she said via her website www.sexypanther.com

She had the privilege of fighting on three incredible fight cards in her short career so far, with the first being at the world renowned MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on the under card of the Mike Tyson/ Francis Botha bout.

De Groot was also presented with opportunity to fight in Mississippi on the Mike Tyson/ Lennox Lewis under card, and Roy Jones Jr. also allowed her to fight on his under card in Miami in the same arena where the Miami Heat plays their basketball..

"This venue was my favorite because I fought the world champion Kelsey Jeffries and beat the brakes off of her in front of a huge crowd. She was talking a lot of smack prior to the fight, so to give her a beat down was incredibly satisfying for me" the tenacious fighter said.

She turned pro on 25th July 1998 at the Sons of Italy Lodge in Lake Worth Florida and won a four round unanimous decision over Lisa Cuevas of Orlando, Florida in the junior welter weight division, and has defeated several world champions including, Jojo Wyman, Brenda Vickers and Jeffries and plans to add Alfred to that list, when they meet for the WIBA world title next Saturday.

As a trainer, De Groot has a very rigid schedule which commences from as early as 0430h in the morning, as she has three sessions per day.

“The very best part of my day is working out. I really enjoy training my clients in a dynamic environment. To achieve this I incorporate some of my personal extreme training into their workout sessions,” she said on her website.

“Every morning I am up between 4:30-5:00am doing my road work. This is usually when I do my distance training and I cover anywhere between three and eight miles, with my favorite places being Stone Mountain in Atlanta, Georgia, Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California or on the beach down by the Marina also in California. “

“After I run I usually head home get a meal in and take a two hour nap and then its off to the gym where the very best part of my day starts and that is working out. I really enjoy training my clients in a dynamic environment and to achieve this, I incorporate some of my personal extreme training into their workout sessions,” cited the Canadian/Guyanese.

“My second training session of the day is a boxing workout. I train at LB4LB Boxing Gym in Los Angeles, with my trainer Terry Claybon. I usually do between thirteen and twenty rounds depending on where I am in relation to a competition. The rounds are usually split between shadow boxing, heavy bag work, the double end bag, focus mitts and the speed bag,” she said.

Her last training session of the day is between 6pm and 8pm, when she trains in Atlanta with John Lewis who is one of her close friends with whom she has trained with well over 10 years now and thinks he is the best speed and agility coach in the world.

“He has trained me for all of my fights and for life in general,” she said of Lewis who is the brother of National Football League (NFL) star Jamal Lewis who plays for the Baltimore Ravens.

Every day, De Groot and her coach take the field with a mixed bunch of athletes ranging from Takeo Spikes, Carlos Edmonds, Tracey Edwards, Jarvis Hayes, and recently the late Vernon Forrest before his death, just to name a few.

Johns' workouts change daily and according to De Groot, in 10 years she has never been bored as one day they do sprint training, ply metrics or sand drills and another day they enter the pool with a full sweat suit on or in the mountains with a weight vest.

American Gladiator

“The latest achievement of my career is to be one of the newest members of the American Gladiators, where they call me "Panther”.

It was a physically and mentally grueling audition process and I must say that the road to becoming an American Gladiator is not for the faint of heart, but in the end it felt amazing to be standing on stage in full costume with all of the other Gladiators taking press pictures for NBC on the final day of eliminations.

“It was exhilarating to be alongside Gina Carano and Erin Toughill, two other very accomplished female athletes. It is very rare to be on the same team and competing with rather than against other female fighters of such stature. It was almost surreal to me. Not to mention we have Laila Ali as one of the hosts of our show. Amazing!!!” said De Groot

She continued to state on her website, “Competing in front of a live audience every night was nerve racking and such an adrenalin rush. It felt incredible and very familiar. In some ways, it felt like being in the ring on a fight card and it is a blessing to be in the ring on a fight card. It was a blessing to be able to compete with and against such great athletes.”

“My favorite events are Powerball and the Pyramid. These events are hard hitting and come down to raw speed, agility and power. They test you on every level. Nothing feels better than to run down a competitor with a flying tackle or send someone sailing off of the pyramid to the bottom mat. My teammates Crush and Venom have this down to a work of art.”

“I have to congratulate all of the competitors on the American Gladiators. They all gave their hearts and souls during the different events and it was an honor to watch and compete against them,” De Groot said.



So can it get any better than this for De Groot? Yes it did, as she had the distinct opportunity of meeting her childhood hero Hulk Hogan.

“I don't know about anyone else, but every Friday and Saturday of my childhood was spent watching the Hulkster!!! I am a through and through Hulkamaniac, so, to have the opportunity to finally meet and work with Hulk Hogan was incredible.. He is kind, spiritually grounded and just a blessing to know.”

Next season the gifted Guyanese descendant will once again be on show and she plans to promote Guyana as much as possible, but taking care of Alfred right here in the birthplace of her parents next Saturday, is the next thing on her mind.
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Guyana Labor Day Basketball (Brooklyn)

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President Premier League Pics 2

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President Premier League Pics

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INTER-WARD Basketball Finals

NORTH RUIMVELDT SWEEPS WORTMANVILLE/WERK-EN-RUST
TOO BAD TO PUT UP THE SCORE, LET'S JUST SAY IT WASNT CLOSE.
BIG UP TO NORTH.

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INTER-WARD Basketball Finals Pics

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Interward Pics

Saturday night basketball action at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

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INTER-WARD Basketball

Support your area...........let's go EAST/WEST
TONIGHT

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