Some of the best basketball players out of Georgetown and Linden will go head to head when Albouystown-Charlestown clash with Central Mackenzie in the finals of the Mackeson National Super Ward Basketball Championship, which begin tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
The Georgetown-Linden rivalry which is fuelled by competitions such as the current Super Ward Champion-ships will ignite in game one of the best of three finals, which are anticipated to be as competitive as the annual All-Star game and are expected to provide equal or more thrills as the best players from the two regions put their reputations and skills on the line.
In their first encounter in the preliminary round of the competition, Albouystown-Charlestown tarnished Central Mackenzie’s unbeaten run and emerged victors of the match-up, winning by 14 points. However, this loss did not break the spirit of the Linden side as they went on to advance to the finals the very next day when they knocked out reigning Inter-Ward champions and once tournament favourites North Ruimveldt in the semi-finals.
Led by national point guard Steve Neils Jnr, who is rated by many as the leading scorer of the competition thus far, Central Mackenzie’s squad is no push over. Neils’ skillful theatrics have allowed him to total approximately 100 points in the five games his team played in the tournament. He top scored in three of those games.
Neils will also be aided by national forward Marvin Hartman, who has been producing big numbers on the score sheet in recent games for Central Mackenzie. Hartman top scored with a game high 19 points in their semi-final game which was vital for his team to progress to the final.
Other key players on Central Mackenzie line up are Jason Alonzo, Orin Rose and guest player Odley Alleyne. The towering Alonzo sustained an injury to his left eye in the semi-finals, but should be rested and recuperated to dominate the paint in the finals. Alleyne is known to cause damage to opponents when he seemingly hits baskets at will from beyond the arc. On the other side of the court, Albouystown-Charles-town should be well prepared. The Georgetown side has not suffered a loss in the tournament to date and they are currently 5-0. The Linden teams have always held them close, but the depth of the Albouystown-Charlestown offence has always enabled the side to escape the clutches of defeat. From their starting five to the players on the bench, the Georgetown line-up is talented enough to successfully attack the basket.
The big names on the Albouystown-Charlestown squad have not disappointed their team or supporters in past games and the same performance should carry over to the finals. Dwayne Roberts, Kevin Joseph and Rodwell Fortune, have all led their team’s scoring with game high points in previous encounters.
Roberts is known for his strength and efficiency in the paint and will be assisted by Travis Foster and Akeem Kanhai. Albouystown-Charlestown have the manpower to outnumber Central Mackenzie on the inside as they did to Christianburg in the semi-final.
With the winner receiving $500,000 and other incentives on the line, and with some of the best vying for the same prize tonight, basketball fans can expect to witness an entertaining evening.
Supporters will also participate in the rivalry as the Central Mackenzie supporters are urged to wear red or burgundy, while Albouystown-Charlestown supporters are asked to wear black and yellow.
Fans will also be entertained by performances from local artistes, along with dance competitions. Prior to the final there will also be an exhibition game, which is a grudge match between Lodge-Meadowbrook and Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust.
