Sisters T’Mia and Phoenix Williams formed part of the victorious Team Venezuela. at the Capital Basketera in El Salvador last week

The two played in all of the team’s six matches and went undefeated in the girls under-17 division at the international youth basketball tournament.

Phoenix, who plays point guard, was thrilled to feature in a global event for the first time.

“For me the tournament experience was amazing,” the 13-year-old told The Royal Gazette.

“It let me experience how the competition is at an international level. I also got to meet new people and build friendships.

“It feels really good to win the whole tournament and it shows that if you have a good team with good chemistry you can win anything.

“We had a very skilful and fun team, so to keep winning games gave us motivation to go further. This inspires me to keep playing sports because it shows how fun it is to gain new friendships from all around the world.

“Playing the game and having fun gives you the motivation to keep going, especially if you love the sport.”

T’Mia, a student at Christchurch School in Virginia, loved the camaraderie in her team, with the 15-year-old playng point guard and shooting guard.

“The tournament was very different, but the experience was awesome,” she said.

“I didn’t expect there to be so many teams from different countries, but there were so many people and it was good for me to experience the different style of play compared to Bermuda or the United States.

“The style of play here was a lot more passing and moving the ball around and that helped me work on my passing skills as well.

“I also got to work on my Spanish skills and my team-mates taught me a couple of words that they use.

“It felt great to win the whole thing as I feel that we all contributed to the team in a good way. We definitely were not the tallest team and we didn’t have that deep of a bench to sub people out, but we were all so close. The team chemistry was good and I think that is what kept us going and led us to win.

“We were all there for each other, cheering our team-mates on every point they scored and celebrating the small wins.

“This motivates me to keep going in my basketball journey because it shows just how far you can get in the world through sports.

“I got to travel to El Salvador to play basketball and I met so many players, coaches, team-mates and parents from different countries.

“Now I have these friends from all over the world. No matter the language we were all able to connect through one common goal, to play as a team and win as a team.

“I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to play in the tournament and to represent my small island of Bermuda.”

Kim Robinson, , who facilitated the trip as Raising The Bar operations manager, was delighted by the manner in which the sisters jumped at the chance to fly the island’s flag.

“Watching T’Mia and Phoenix embrace this opportunity, represent Bermuda and compete internationally has made me incredibly proud,” Robinson said.

“From being identified through our showcase to competing on an international stage — this is exactly why we continue building platforms and creating opportunities.

“Keep growing, keep believing and keep showing the world what Bermuda talent looks like.

“Special shout-out to Steveland Brown-Darrell for representing Raising The Bar in an official capacity, supporting the girls throughout this journey and continuing to pour back into the next generation.

“To Anna Neilson-Williams, the mother of the girls, thank you for seeing the vision and trusting the process.”

Venezuelan Douglas Reed, founder and head coach of the Team Hurricane Basketball Academy, had a lot of great things to say about the Bermudian girls.

“Team Hurricane Basketball Academy is so proud of sisters T’Mia and Phoenix Williams, who travelled to El Salvador to take part in the Capital Basketera International Basketball Tournament,” Reed said.

“I’m ecstatic that the girls had this opportunity to participate in this tournament. They went on to become champions teaming with Venezuela to win the under-17 girls division.

“I am particularly proud that they were able to jump right in and become impact players for Team Venezuela. It highlights Team Hurricane’s mission to develop talented and competitive-minded players who can adapt to any play style.

“Our players are coachable and the girls's success in El Salvador proves that. The coach from Venezuela commended T’Mia and Phoenix on their talent and was very happy with their participation.”