Guyana’s spirited run in the U23 3×3 Basketball Tournament came to an end on Friday after a hard-fought 18–14 loss to hosts Paraguay in the quarter-finals.
The Guyanese squad, featuring US-based Anish Ramlall alongside Domitre Rankin, Stephen George, and Arren Vanlewin, battled a disciplined Paraguayan team on their home court. The match was a tense, back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to pull away until the final seconds.
With just 33 seconds left and the score deadlocked at 14, Paraguay seized the advantage with a crucial and-one play, converting the free throw to edge ahead 16–14. Guyana had opportunities to respond, as Ramlall and Vanlewin each found clear looks at the basket, but were unable to convert under pressure.
A pivotal moment came with nine seconds remaining, when Guyana committed their seventh team foul, sending Paraguay to the line for two free throws. The hosts calmly sank both, extending their lead to 18–14 and effectively sealing the contest. Stephen George’s final attempt at a two-pointer fell short as time expired, ending Guyana’s hopes of advancing further in the competition.
The tournament marked the conclusion of Guyana’s week-long High Performance Training Programme in Paraguay, which served as vital preparation for the upcoming Junior Pan American Games. Despite the quarter-final exit, the team’s performance was seen as a promising step forward for Guyana’s basketball programme, showcasing resilience and skill against strong international opposition.
