By Rawle Toney
The Art of War is a Chinese military treatise that was written during the 6th century BC by China’s General Sun Tzu. One of the most famous lines out of the eminent book is “to know your enemy, you must become your enemy.”
This must be running through the minds of the players from Dyna’s and Courts Pacesetters as they prepare for this evening’s winner- take-all grudge match at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Both teams said that it would be a night to remember since the game will also mark the return of competitive action to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall after the Georgetown Amateur Basket-ball Association (GABA) decided to play their matches outdoors at the Burnham Basketball Court.
So far in the GABA season, Ravens are undefeated while Pacesetters have lost one game in the league. Despite this, the two sides have not met this season and tonight should set a pace for the continuation of the GABA league next year.
Both sides have players as well as coaches of high calibre.
Having played together on Guyana’s national team, Pacesetters coach Bobby Codogan and Ravens coach Lugard Mohan will take up the pen and drawing board role for their respective teams.
Pacesetters will rely heavily on their top three players; the sharp shooting Stephan Gillis, high flyer Royston Siland and Naylon Lonck to lead the team forward.
One player from the Pacesetters side who will not be left out of the action is point guard Travis Burnett since he can be explosive with his short cross over and snapping jump shots.
But Ravens have proven themselves to be a force to reckon with in local basketball since they are one of the more physical teams around the country at present.
National point guard Darcell Harris despite being diminutive in stature can upstage his opponents as well and has been rated among the top flight guards in the country.
His backup, Ryan Stephaney with his stylish and deadly dribble skills should be a lethal combination in the back court for the Dyna’s Embroidery sponsored side.
And if one think Ravens are all about offence, there is sadistic Damien Liverpool who is always hungry for the ball off the board along with Ryan Gullen who is also an offensive threat once he gets going.
The Ravens/Pacesetters basketball battle will also be played off the court between the coaches since both Mohan and Codogan are very sound tactically.
