Host Saint-Martin captured the first edition of the Sisters Islands Basketball Tournament, holding off a United States selection 33-30 in the U18 men's final to keep the trophy at home.
The two-day event, staged May 15-16 at the Halle des Sports of the Jean-Louis Vanterpool Stadium in Marigot, brought together youth sides from across the Caribbean and beyond, including teams from the United States, Anguilla, Tortola, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Martinique, Guadeloupe and the hosts. Organized by the Comité Territorial de Basket des Îles du Nord (CTBIN) alongside the Centre d'Excellence et d'Éducation par le Sport, it was conceived as both a competition and a development platform, with the stated ambition of turning the island into a hub of Caribbean basketball.
Saint-Martin made an early statement in the group phase with a 66-18 rout of Anguilla, then beat Martinique 44-36 in the semifinals to reach the final. The United States advanced from the other semifinal with a tight 32-27 win over Guadeloupe. The decider was a battle: Saint-Martin led by as many as 10 before the Americans pressed back in the second quarter, but the U.S. missed their late three-point attempts and the hosts held on for a 33-30 win.
Saint-Martin finished ahead of the United States and Martinique on the final podium, with Guadeloupe fourth. Buoyed by the success, organizers said they intend to renew the event next year and add women's teams.