Pepsi Sonics became the first team to exit the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association super eight knockout competition when they were sent packing by an experienced Nets squad after an intense battle Friday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Nets won 66-57.
Nets got the ball rolling early jumping out to an early 5-0 lead compliments of Mortimer Williams who was deadly from beyond the arch in the opening minutes.
However, Sonics would not let up and they quickly overcame the deficit to tie the game 14-14 with 1:06s remaining in the first quarter.
Nets retaliated immediately going on a 6-2 run in the last minute to close out the quarter in front.
Triston Tullock altered the tempo of the game when he made his first appearance on the court in the second quarter.
But just when it seemed as if Sonics were going to be left behind, Ryan Melville and Trevor Smith in the front court became very productive in transition as well as on the defensive end to keep Sonics in the game as they trailed by just one point (33-32) at half-time.
Nets began resting their star players at key intervals but the Sonics were unable to capitalize on their absence.
Sonics’ forwards were frequently charged with cheap fouls in the low block which seemed to take the energy out of their side.
The second half of the game saw many lead changes until 6:47 remaining in the game, when the Sonics’ game fell away.
Their shots began to fall short while the more experienced Nets side were executing clutch plays effortlessly at the other end.
Nets scored the last nine points of the game to run out comfortable winners 66-57.
Mortimer Williams top scored for the Nets with 20 points while Triston Tullock chipped in with 15 points.
Ryan Melville had the game-high of 26 points for Sonics while his teammate Trevor Smith added 11 points in their unsuccessful effort.
Earlier that evening, Pepsi Sonics’ third division side managed to stay alive in the tournament by defeating Bounty Colts 71-56. The Sonics controlled the first of two 20-minute halves leading 28-23 at halftime.
In the second half, however, Colts’ Floyd Arthur broke down the Sonics defence taking the ball to the hoop successfully on a few attempts to bring his team to within four after being down by as much as ten.
With 13 minutes remaining in the game, Colts’ primary scoring option, Floyd Arthur cramped up and had to witness his team fall further and further behind the Pepsi Sonics.
Arthur did not sit out for too long. He quickly returned to the game with his side trailing 45-57 and launched a few three-point shots to get his team back in it, all to no avail.
Jermaine Reid scored 20 points while Darwin Lovell contributed 13 points. Drexel Aaron and Jason Squires both scored 11 points for Sonics while Floyd Arthur of Bounty Colts scored 26 points.
Victor Rhondel also added 17 points for the Colts.
