The first semi-pro, inter-island basketball league in the United States and British Virgin Islands will kick-off in January 2011. Three teams from St. Croix, three teams from St. Thomas and three teams from Tortola will compete in the Hurricane Basketball League (HBL) in what should spark a renewed interest in basketball development in the Virgin Islands.
As former local basketball stars, league organizers Joey “Money” Wallace and Andy Chelcher are very excited about the conception of the HBL. “This is something that the basketball community in the Virgin Islands has wanted for a long time,” Chelcher said. “I’m just hoping that this can help to increase exposure for the basketball talent that we develop here in the V.I.”
Each team will play 20 regular season games starting in January and ending in May. Playoffs will immediately follow, and a champion will be crowned by early June. Anyone interested in playing should send his name, the name of the island of residence and contact information to the Hurricane Basketball League at players@hblvi.com.