Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts
Flashing round town on his speedy Kawasaki ZX10 motorcycle (Black Beast), he is an intellectual basketball player, fantastic father of two and a mentor to several, who inspires and delights many when he takes to the court. He was born Rayon Gardiner, and is popularly known as ‘Muscle’, ‘Jimmy Son’ and ‘Watch Rasta’.
Gardiner, who holds a Bachelor in International Business, came into this world on June 14, 1980, and is a born and bred Montegonian, son of popular and longstanding businessman Jimmy, owner and operator of Jimmy’s Bakery, and mother Bev from Mount Salem.
Gardiner divulged to the
Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts
Unassuming at a glance, American-born Darren Andre-Morris King is a deceptively sensational fast-growing shooting guard, and one who is also known for his academic achievements.
King, who was born in Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, on September 5, 2001, to parents Peta-Gay King and father Troy Morris, moved to Jamaica a month later.
The shy King, who has just one sibling, attended Christiana Academy, from where he attained a place at much sught-after Herbert Morrison Technical High (HMTHS).
Now a 19-year-old, King told the Western Mirror in a WhatsApp interview that he holds great aspirations of becoming a professional Basketball player, but was also quick to point out that he is the recent recipient of an overseas academic scholarship to become a Chemical Engineer.
Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts
He hails from the crime-ravaged community of Gutters in Retirement St. James, but Tavin Shaw, a truly gifted player and the pride and joy of his mother, will not allow where he’s from to define his destination.
The 20-year-old ‘wash-belly’ for his family and self-motivator, has his eyes set on prestige and greatness, methodically mapping a direct path away from crime and violence.
‘Wingy’, as he is affectionately called, dreams of one day becoming a professional footballer as well as an entrepreneur.
A warrior on the field, but quiet and shy off it, Shaw, a graduate of Munro College, holds seven subjects at the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) level, including Mathematics, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, English Language, Economics, Social Studies, Information Technology and Human and Social Biology.
Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts
The name Dave Black is revered in the local sport of Basketball, but who really is the man?
Known for his electric skills on the court, the diminutive player and coach of a dynasty being built at Herbert Morrison Technical High School (HMTHS), located at Bogue in Montego Bay, St. James, hails from humble beginnings, but has eyes for greatness and perfection.
A learner at Maldon Primary and High Schools, Black furthered his studies at Seaford Town Heart Trust, before gaining a spot at the famed GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sports in St. Catherine, spending 4-and-a-half years.
Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts
He is athletic, energetic, comes from a large female dominated family and has an ability to propel him to stardom. He is Anthony Thorpe.
A National youth representative, the 18-year-old Herbert Morrison Technical High (HMTHS) student is rated among the best in the West at his age in the sport of Basketball, but he has his eyes set on bigger and better things.
Thorpe, who was born on December 1, 2002 to parents Denise Clarke-Jarrett and Christopher Thorpe, has 11 siblings, 7 of whom are females.
The talented basketball player, also a solid academic achiever, told the
Western Mirror that he aspires to one day travel the world playing the sport he loves (Basketball), giving back to his parents, coaches and basketball in Jamaica as an island-wide sport.