Those were the words that were shouted across Basketball City, Basseterre, on the night of Tuesday 26th October by a joyous Rams Hitters basketball team.
Hitters defeated Cotton Ground Rebels, 77-62, in game four of the best of five finals.
Many basketball fans who journeyed to Nevis for game 3, which Hitters won, were expecting a more competitive game from the Rebels. They were hoping to have the opportunity to return for a game five. That thought was vanished from many minds as Basketball City after half time on Tuesday night.
Led by Tyron Hutchinson with 18 points, Hitters outplayed Rebels with a very defensive game play throughout the game, and converting each time they go to the rim.
Following the game, miyvue.com spoke with the winning coach James Hanley who explained that in 2009 they lost the championship to S.L Horsford Ghetto Roots, but this year they were determined to retain the crown.
“Last year after losing the championship, everyone thought that we were out of it and that was it for the Hitters, but our determination as a team and the experience within has proved many wrong, we are no doubt the best basketball team in St. Kitts and Nevis,” an excited Hanley said.
When asked what next was in store for Hitters, a triumphant Hanley retorted, “A 20th championship, that’s what is in store”.
On hand to join in the celebrations and to congratulate the Hitters was the Minister of Sport, Mr. Glen “Ghost” Phillip, who himself led the team in many previous campaigns for the championship, when he played with Hitters.
As for the defeated Cotton Ground Rebels, it’s back to the drawing board for Coach Gene Amory and his team.
Amory said that even though they lost the championship, for a team that has been in the league for just over four years, reaching the finals of the Premier Division was a great achievement.
“We knew it was going to be rough for us going up against a compact team of well experienced players and with so many championships under their belt, but we gave it a good run and now we can take the experience gained here and rebound for next season”.
The Rams Hitters won their first Championship in 1983.