Skillful Ballers Win Paradise Showdown Championship
Skillful Ballers secured the 2026 Paradise Showdown 15U Basketball Championship after completing an undefeated run in St. Maarten. The team clinched the title with a thrilling 85-83 victory over Sint Maarten in the final, powered by a late three-pointer from J'Aiden Cameron. Tournament MVP Akhori Sebastian led the squad through five consecutive wins under coach Ronald Norman.
Skillful Ballers have captured the 2026 Paradise Showdown 15U Basketball Tournament title following an undefeated campaign in St. Maarten, culminating in a thrilling 85-83 championship final victory over the host team. Hosted by Performance Sports Academy SXM, the five-day regional tournament featured competitive youth teams from across the Caribbean, including Anguilla, Guyana, Saba/Aruba, St.
Under the guidance of head coach Ronald "Gola" Norman, the squad dominated the competition from start to finish, showcasing exceptional defense and offensive depth. Skillful Ballers launched their tournament run with a commanding defensive display, shutting out St. They followed up with decisive victories over St.
In the semifinals, the team maintained their momentum by overwhelming Anguilla 74-24 to book their ticket to the championship game with an unblemished 4-0 record. The final against Sint Maarten proved to be a nail-biting showdown that tested the team to the final whistle. With only 17.5 seconds left on the clock, Sint Maarten held a slim one-point lead.
J'Aiden Cameron delivered in the decisive moment, sinking a clutch three-pointer to push Skillful Ballers ahead. The team held firm in the dying seconds to seal the 85-83 victory and claim the trophy. Akhori Sebastian was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in recognition of his standout performances throughout the competition.
The championship-winning roster also included Byron Peguero, Christian Francis, Delanje Bedford, J'Aiden Cameron, Jadey Glasgow, Jezaan Demming, Kayden Daway, K'Mori Butler, and Ke'Mori Daway. The victory highlights the strength of youth basketball development and adds another regional accolade for the territory's rising sporting talent.
Primary source: Guavaberry