Costa Rica National Team

Last year I was invited to be part of the coaching staff of Costa Rica's National Team, which was a great experience. Besides winning the tournament in El Salvador, I really enjoyed getting to know some of the players off the court. It's an interesting challenge to take players who have competed all year and turn them into one effective team.



Costa Rica is competitive within the Central America region; Panama is the best in our region, but from time to time CR has been able to snatch a title or two away. The national team is headed to the Centrobasket tournament which combines teams from Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. That's a big step up in competition; the Caribbean teams are littered with college players and a few NBA vets. It's a challenge to deal with their size, speed and skill level. You always play to win, but the challenge for the National Team is significant in this tourney.

My regular job makes it hard to attend these international tournaments. Last year I was able to make El Salvador. I was planning on going to Puerto Rico, but my work schedule got in the way. Up to last week I was trying to figure out ways to go for a couple of days. First things come first, but I would have really liked to have been there.

Costa Rica National Team Roster

• Anderson Brown Jefny Oliver, C ARBA San Ramon
• Chavarría Arias Cristian, PG, Sanatura Desamparados
• Conejo Lobo Isaac Andrés, PG, ARBA San Ramon
• Martinez Fairclough Kay Shomarie, SF, ARBA San Ramon
• Milliner Wilshire Dave Jorhdan, PF, Sanatura Desamparados
• Plumer Castro Charles, G, Ferreteria Brenes Barva
• Quesada Moya Carlos Gabriel, PF, Ferreteria Brenes Barva
• Sánchez Barrantes Alonso, G, Ferreteria Brenes Barva
• Simons Omier Daniel Alberto, F, ARBA San Ramon
• Smith Araya Clifford, SG, Ferreteria Brenes Barva
• Wilson Barnett Rohel, F, Ferreteria Brenes Barva
• Wing Ching Jones Felipe, G, Liceo de Costa Rica
• Coaching Staff: Luis Blanco (Head Coach), Jorge Arguello (Assistant Coach)

CENTROBASKET SCHEDULE

Monday, June 18
Hour       Local                Visitor
1:00pm   Jamaica     vs.      Costa Rica
3:30pm   Cuba         vs.      Bahamas
6:00pm   Mexico      vs.      Virgin Islands
8:30pm   Puerto Rico   vs.   Panama 

Tuesday, June 19
Hour      Local                Visitor
1:00pm    Virgin Islands vs. Jamaica
3:30pm    Nicaragua   vs.    Cuba
6:00pm    Rep.Dom   vs.     Mexico
8:30pm    Bahamas    vs.    Puerto Rico 

Wednesday, June 20
Hour       Local                Visitor
1:00pm    Costa Rica   vs.   Virgin Islands
3:30pm    Panama       vs.   Bahamas
6:00pm    Jamaica        vs.  Rep. Dom
8:30pm    Puerto Rico  vs.   Nicaragua 

Thursday, June 21
Hour       Local                Visitor
1:00pm    Nicaragua    vs.   Panama
3:30pm    Mexico     vs.     Jamaica
6:00pm    Rep. Dom   vs.    Costa Rica
8:30pm       Cuba       vs.      Puerto Rico 

Friday, June 22
Hour      Local                 Visitor
1:00pm    Bahamas  vs.       Nicaragua
3:30pm    Panama   vs.       Cuba
6:00pm    Costa Rica    vs.  Mexico
8:30pm    Virgin Islands vs. Rep. Dom 

Centrobasket Championship for Men, Semifinal Round

Saturday, June 23
Hour      Local                  Visitor
6:00pm    Team B/1    vs.     Team A/2
8:30pm    Team A/1    vs.     Team B/2 

Centrobasket Championship for Men, Final Round

Sunday, June 24 
Hour      Local                   Visitor
18:00      Looser of (21)  Looser of (22)
20:30      Winner of (21)  Winner of (22)