The Bermuda girls national basketball team won both of their matches at the Winning at Keystone tournament in Pennsylvania at the weekend.

In their opening game Bermuda beat Pope John XXIII of New Jersey 27-14 before defeating local side Mifflin City 44-28.

Yesterday, the team were scheduled to play two games against Lake Lehman and one match against Southern Huntingdon, both of Pennsylvania, as well as Johnson City of New Jersey.

Erica Woods, the team’s coach, said: “The first game against Pope John XXIII saw the girls start off slow. However, it wasn’t long before co-captain Anna Gilliatt took charge after opening up with a few easy buckets.

“Once the team got started, they took the lead and never looked back.”

Woods, a former Marshall University guard, added: “The second game against Mifflin City saw multiple players get quality minutes as our defensive scheme constantly disrupted the opposing teams offensive game plan.

“Bermuda jumped out to an early lead headed by Inshan-nae Smith who found the gaps early and was relentless in her attack.

“This propelled the entire team as our older players stepped up and took control of the game, which gave the younger players a boost of confidence.”

Nine of the Bermuda team attended the Keystone State Camps prior to the tournament, with five of the players named as all-stars.

The all-stars were Anna Gilliatt, of Warwick Academy, Inshan-nae Smith, of CedarBridge Academy. Demique Daniels, of CedarBridge Academy, Kaylee Lema, of TN Tatem Middle School, and LeiLanni Nesbeth, of Saltus Grammar School.

Youth players from the Wolfpack Elite Player Development programme are at the Ramapo College in New Jersey to take part in the Five-Star Basketball camp.

The players attending the camp are Ryan Grant, of Warwick Academy, Caelin Peters, of Mount St Agnes, Kobie Reid, of Mount St Agnes, Niall Waring, of Warwick Academy, Malachi Dates, of Clearwater Middle School, Rye Ahronson, of Warwick Academy, Jeremiah Andrade, of Warwick Academy, Tyriq Brown, of Saltus Grammar School, Mykal Glasgow, of Berkeley Institute, Colby Mapp, of Somersfield Academy, and Andy Perez, of CedarBridge Academy.

“We have made a commitment to our players that we will offer only the very best player development opportunities,” said a spokesperson for Wolfpack Elite.

“The camp is so rich in history that we consider it a rite of passage for any player who is serious about playing at the next level.”

The Wolfpack Elite Player Development programme is led by former NCAA and Bermuda players including Chris Crumpler, Erica Woods, and Charles Peters.

For more information contact Peters at charles@wolfpackhoops.com.