Family and friends were on hand at the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility on Saturday to cheer on their favorite teams and loved ones as the inmates held their third annual basketball tournament. Inmate Roberto “Robbie” Smalls envisioned the tournament as a means of building a unified, violence-free community amongst the inmate population.
Smalls coordinated the event with fellow inmate Johnnie Kidd, and they invited the Runners basketball team from St. Thomas and St. Croix’s perennial champions, the Hoyas, to participate in this year’s tournament.
The inmates were well represented by their Real G’s basketball team and gave the visitors all they could handle and then some.
Runners 41, Real G’s 32
The Real G’s took on the Runners in the opening contest and were overpowered, 41-32. The Runners were led by Aubrey Daniel with 17 points and nine rebounds. Jahbari Brown netted six points, grabbed 12 rebounds and swatted away six shots, and Terrance Bailey chipped in with seven points for the winners.
The G-team was led by Tedroy Lake with 14 points and eight boards, and Smalls finished with nine points and eight boards.
Real G’s 54, Hoyas 52
The Real G’s turned in a great performance against St. Croix basketball powerhouse, the Hoyas, in game two and came away with a hard fought 54-52 victory to the delight of family, friends and fellow inmates.
Lake again led the way for the inmates, as he tallied a game-high 17 points to go with 10 rebounds. He got good support from Bailey, who finished with seven points, and Smalls, who had six points and seven rebounds.
The shorthanded Hoyas were led by Devonte Pryce with 13 points and six rebounds. Warren Christian and Ras Brooks both finished with 13 points.
The games were great but it was the apparent bonding of the many inmates that was most rewarding. This familiarity that the day created among inmates can only, ultimately, make Golden Grove a more peaceful institution.
Why are these human-garbage playing basketball on the tax payer’s dime instead of out on a chain gang paving roads, trimming back bush and picking up litter?
I think the VI Government is completely incompetent. Budgets are being cut by one branch and another is paying for convicted prisoners to fly from island to island to play BASKETBALL of all things. Who paid for the overtime and flight? Oh, we don’t want to answer that question. How many man hours did it take for the convicted garbage of society to have a vacation at government expense. The islands are an insane asylum and the inmates are in charge. People, express your concerns and vote the professional politicians out of office and put some level headed citizens in there places. Raise Hell over stuff like the basketball vacation. Really!! What a waste of money and time.
Move the prisoners out of the air conditioned prisons and put them in tents, feed then cheese and bread with a glass of water. They are paying for their crimes. . .not going to a resort.
A word to the wise, never assume. Ask a question. FYI, the VI Government DID NOT in any fashion cover the expenses of this event. It was sponsored by individuals & businesses that share in the vision of unity & rehabilitation of young men & women, inside and outside of prision as we strive to build a better community. The Officers of GGACF volunteered their time to provide the necessary security during the POSITIVE event. I would suggest to you that you do a little homework before making false accusations, such as perphaps visiting the prison. There you will NOT find any inmate enjoying air condotioned rooms. You will find inmates (not all) that have realized the crime(s) they committed got them in the position they are in and are serving their time, being rehabilitated (please find the defination in the dictionary) and trying to make good out of a bad situation. We are all humans good or bad, not garbage. Please be reminded that people were not born bad, decisions make them that way. There is ALWAYS room to change. Hopefully you have a clearer understanding & now you can put the HELL that you’ve raised back where it belongs. I hope you read this VERY carefully, with a clear mind & a clean heart. Blessings to you.
A word to the wise, never assume. Ask a question. FYI, the VI Government DID NOT in any fashion cover the expenses of this event. It was sponsored by individuals & businesses that share in the vision of unity & rehabilitation of young men & women, inside and outside of prision as we strive to build a better community. The Officers of GGACF volunteered their time to provide the necessary security during the POSITIVE event. I would suggest to you that you do a little homework before making false accusations, such as perphaps visiting the prison. There you will NOT find any inmate enjoying air condotioned rooms. You will find inmates (not all) that have realized the crime(s) they committed got them in the position they are in and are serving their time, being rehabilitated (please find the defination in the dictionary) and trying to make good out of a bad situation. We are all humans good or bad, not garbage. Please be reminded that people were not born bad, decisions make them that way. There is ALWAYS room to change. Hopefully you have a clearer understanding & now you can put the HELL that you’ve raised back where it belongs. I hope you read this VERY carefully, with a clear mind & a clean heart. Blessings to you.
@ Blue_Mt_Ghost. Additional FYI. The Hoyas and The Runners Basketball teams DO NOT consist of incarcerated individuals. They are non-criminal citizens on the island of St. Thomas and St. Croix that compete recreationaly in this sport. It is sad that you posted how upset you are at the VI Government. You would think that you were well knowledgable of the community what goes on within it. Once again be blessed.