They almost had to drop out of the competition, when organizers insisted they needed proper uniforms to continue participating in the Belize City primary schools basketball competition. But resourceful teachers/coaches Ms. Evelyn Flowers and Mr. Jayson Hyde persevered, and were successful in gaining assistance from J.E.C. Co. Ltd., 1st Caribbean Bank and KREM TV, who helped to outfit the St. Martin De Porres boys and girls teams for the remainder of the competition. And the girls team not only remained in the Belize City tournament, qualifying in second place behind the well attired Belize Elementary, but St. Martin De Porres girls basketball team proceeded to win the Belize District competition, and then also won the big National Competition last Friday at the Belize City Center, to become the 2010 National Primary Schools Female Basketball Champions.
Teachers and students were understandably elated and proud of their accomplishment, and so they decided to launch a street parade to show their appreciation and to celebrate their great victory. Gwen Liz marching band graciously agreed to lead the parade, which lasted from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16. The parade travelled from St. Martin’s school south on Partridge Street past the Kremandala compound, east into Cemetery Road, north into Central American Boulevard, west down Mahogany Street, and then south along Partridge to return to St. Martin’s. Both the boys and girls basketball teams were featured in the parade. (Photos by Parks)