South Ruimveldt was booted Sunday evening by Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust who won their second consecutive game of the best-of-three semi-finals 71-62 of this year’s Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), Hits and Jams Television (HJTV) and Lens Craft inter-ward basketball tournament at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
With the win, Wortmanville advanced to the finals and moved one step closer to the $500,000 first prize.
In a game that was pulsating from jump-ball, South Ruimveldt crumbled with just two minutes remaining despite a good night by their star player and national point guard Steve Neils Jr.
It was probably one of the best games that he has played so far in the tournament but his supporting cast ran out of energy and the team will now have to play for third place.
Once again, an all round team effort was shown by the finalists as everyone chipped in while the more senior players led from the front.
“The way the game was played worked right into how we planned,” said player/coach of the victorious team Naylon Loncke.
He added that they knew that it would be hard to stop Neils Jr. from scoring but felt they could put a halt to the others.
At the end of the first quarter, South held a one-point lead (14-13). In the second quarter Neils worked his magic on the Wortmanville defence but there was only so much the one-man army could have done against a collective unit and at half time the score read 29-25 in favour of Wortmanville/werk-en-Rust.
The third quarter ended with the scores being tied at 47 as the two sides traded baskets from both the floor and the free throw line.
Neils Jr. ran out of steam in the closing minutes of the game and with the other players being closely marked they faded and could only watch on as the Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust players celebrated their win.
Royston Siland, who has been excelling at both ends of the floor in the tournament, once again turned up big, shooting five of nine from the field to finish with 13 points, 13 rebounds and one blocked shot.
Triston Blake and Loncke finished with 17 points apiece while Clement Brush had 10 points and nine rebounds.
The stats sheet reflected how hard Neils Jr. was made to work to force a third game. He finished with a game high 20 points only hitting seven of his 24 shots attempted from the field and making five from seven at the free throw line.
He also grabbed three rebounds and captured four steals.
Sherwin Roberts, who is known for his marksmanship shooting from downtown shot two for 10 with most the shots being three point attempts.
He scored only four points while Clarence Bennett and Dane Kendall contributed 12 and 10 points respectively.
Speaking with Stabroek Sport yesterday, Loncke boastfully said: “Right now we are patiently waiting the winner of the Charles-town/North Ruimveldt game to begin the finals.”
He, however noted that their swingman Mark Trotz, who has migrated to the US will certainly be missed.
“We really missed Trotz last night (Sunday) but the guys stepped up and did what they had to do so now we just waiting to play whoever in the finals,” said Loncke.
The Charlestown/ Albouystown and North Ruimveldt series is tied at a game a piece and the third game would be played on Thursday.
