Anaya Clemons led Guyana’s women to an impressive 15-8 victory over Jamaica, but the national men’s team endured a difficult opening day that included two defeats and a serious injury to Akil Hughes in 3×3 basketball action on Saturday.
Hughes suffered an injury to his throat and neck during Guyana’s 15-10 loss to Haiti at the Sports Malecón Park Main Court. The game was stopped with 3:48 remaining as medical personnel attended to him.
The Guyana Basketball Federation later confirmed that Hughes was transported to hospital for further evaluation. An update on his condition was still being awaited.
Earlier, Guyana’s women overcame a competitive start against Jamaica before taking control during the second half of their Pool D encounter.
The teams traded the lead during the opening minutes, with Jamaica moving ahead 3-1 before De Angelique Waithe scored twice to level the contest.
Clemons then took charge, hitting a crucial two-point basket to give Guyana an 8-4 advantage. Jamaica briefly reduced the deficit, but further scores from Waithe and Ruth Adams kept Guyana firmly in control.
Adams struck a decisive two-pointer in the final minute before Clemons completed the victory with a basket at the buzzer.
Clemons finished with a game-high six points, while Waithe scored five and Adams added four. Chloe Wilson led Jamaica with three points.
Guyana converted 35 per cent of its field-goal attempts, while Jamaica struggled at 24 per cent.
The Guyanese men began their Pool A campaign with a 21-9 defeat against Puerto Rico, who ended the contest in just under nine minutes.
Puerto Rico raced to a 7-0 lead and remained in control behind Angel Matias, who scored a game-high 11 points. Christian Hinckson led Guyana with four points, but the team shot only 29 per cent from the field.
Guyana offered more resistance against Haiti and briefly levelled the score at 3-3 through a two-point basket from Travis Burnett.
However, Haiti regained control through Fitz Salvant, who scored eight points, while Jean Ulysse added five. Hughes and Hinckson scored three points each for Guyana, with Burnett contributing two.
Guyana’s women later returned to face hosts Dominican Republic, but the match was postponed with the score tied at 4-4 after players repeatedly fell because of a slippery playing surface on the court.
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