By LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter 
Remekie
Santiago, Cuba:
AFTER A six-hour flight delay at the Norman Manley International Airport and further hold-ups at the Santiago International Airport, Jamaica's male and female basketball teams settled in their hotel around 10:00 p.m. Friday ahead of their participation in the Senior CARICOM Basketball Tournament in Santiago, Cuba.
Both teams were flagged after a long day but remained focused on the job at hand.
The male team had their first game against hosts Cuba last night and then they tackle Bahamas this evening at 7:30. The females open their schedule at noon against Barbados today.
TEAM MEETING
After acquiring a taste for dinner, the male team made no bones about the reason why they are here as co-captain Damion Staples rounded up the team in his room for a players only meeting before coaches Alf Remekie and Andrew Kennedy outlined their strategy for the tournament.
Each player got a chance to voice his perception of what they needed to do to win the tournament and as each spoke the hunger, seriousness and focus were apparent.
After last winning the competition in 1996 and previously in 1981, Jamaica have not finished better than fifth in the biennial competition and this present crop of players is determined to change that.
"You guys have a lot of focus and we didn't have that last time," veteran Michael Kennedy said in the meeting, being one of two members from the last team in 2002, along with Oneil Kamaika, that is playing this year.
A main theme was present in the players' forum - that defence, and not offence, would be the catalyst for their success.
"When they see us coming they must fear us," Kennedy urged.
"Defensive communication is the key," Kamaika advised. "We have to work together."
INJURY WORRIES
Work together they will have to as there are a few injury worries for the team. Forwards Kennedy and Brian Lewin are nursing ankle and knee injuries respectively and Robert Kelly has tendonitis in his right knee.
Remekie admitted that the injuries to his big men are a concern, particularly Kennedy's.
"It is a major concern. He is the main stabiliser and leader of this group. Hopefully he'll be able to give us a couple of good minutes come game time," Remekie said of Kennedy.
SCHEDULE
Male
Ja vs. Cuba - Sat. 7:30 p.m.
Ja vs. Bahamas - Sun. 7:30 p.m.
Female
Ja vs. Barbados - Sun. 12:00 noon
Ja vs. St. Vincent - Mon. 12:00 noon
Ja vs. US Virgin Islands - Tue. 10:00 a.m.
