Nets Basketball Club outmuscled Macabees Basketball Club to clinch the league opener of the 2012 Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) league when the competition tipped off last Saturday at the outdoor Burnham Basketball Court.
Nets held a distinct advantage in rebounds with 50 to Macabees 21 which really was the main reason for them pulling off the 70-43 victory as it limited Macabees to one shot per possession during the course of the game while allowing second chance opportunities for the Nets players.
Joe Griffith contributed a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds with his hard nose play while his teammate Mortimer Williams sank two of three three pointers on his way to 14 points and nine rebounds in the game.
Hodayah Stewart’s game high 25 points was not enough to rally his team as they were outhustled for the entire game.
Meanwhile, in game one of last Sunday’s double header, Marlon Chesney’s 19 points, seven rebounds and three steals assisted Plaisance Guardians in downing Melanie Patriots 71-60.
The game was tight in the early going with various lead changes in the physical encounter between the two East Coast rivals.
However, the defence played by the Guardians was simply too much for the Patriots in the end. Enoch Matthews also contributed to the win by the Guardians with 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Dexter Walcott’s double-double performance of 14 points and 13 rebounds went in vain for the Patriots as they succumbed to the stiff defence of the Guardians. Maxwell Thomas also played a contributing hand in the losing effort with 12 points and five assists.
In game two last Sunday, newcomers West Side Jammers shot themselves in the foot with 36 turnovers as they lost to Panthers Basketball Club 68-57.
It was a relatively easy game for the Panthers as Jammers contributed to their winning cause with constant mistakes that resulted in numerous turnovers.
Haslyn Junior Hooper had a remarkable first outing with Panthers as he grabbed 24 rebounds, including nine offensive boards in the win for Panthers while scoring 12 points. Jamie Mayers also had a double-double performance with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Ralph Brown was equally as impressive as Hooper on the boards for Jammers as he grabbed 18 of them while recording 15 points as well. His teammate Kevon Johington also had a good all-round effort with 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Meanwhile, there were a few hiccups in starting the league but the Secretary of GABA, Kester Gomes, said he expects the tournament to evolve as it continues.
