Georgetown powerhouses Ravens Basketball Club will clash with the new-look Colts in tonight’s final of the Pepsi Sonics Basketball Club ‘Refresh Your Game’ tournament at the Burnham basketball Court.
Colts made it to the final with a stunning, blowout win against Georgetown’s number one ranked team Courts Pacesetters last weekend in the tournament’s semi-final round. Nearly the entire starting five for Colts achieved double-digit points and they got great productivity on both sides of the court from guards Shelroy and Sheldon Thomas and Dave Causeway.
The impressive upset by the Colts in the semi-final has created quite a buzz in the basketball arena in the capital city. Even former national captain and Ravens memberDarcel Harris said that Colts’ performance was something to applaud.
Speaking exclusively with Stabroek Sport yesterday, Harris said that he was impressed that the Colts who were able to put together a team that has been able to make it to the final. Harris said that the Colts players have demonstrated great hustle and tenacity to go along with their talent.
But while he is impressed, Harris said that the Orangemen are not worried, neither do they feel challenged by the new Colts unit.
“We look at one of their games and they played well; kudos to them. But I wouldn’t say that we are worried or feel challenged by them in any way.”
Harris explained that Ravens have an experienced team that have won several championships and competed in numerous finals in recent years. The experience of some of the core players that still remain in the side along a few younger explosive players that have been training all year round are just two features of the Ravens unit that Harris said fuelled his confidence.
Colts coach Vijai Panday had said in an earlier edition of this publication that the two finalists were evenly matched and Colts should have the advantage because of the combination of new players which defences have not yet been able to contain.
Addressing that comment, Harris said, “I don’t know where Vijai got his analysis from but they haven’t equalled us or outmatched us in any category. We’ve been to championships after championships and won many, we have three current national players and some strong, good youngsters so I don’t know about that.”
Nevertheless, Harris said that he was looking forward for a good competitive matchup and hopes both teams give their best effort to enhance the level of basketball at the final. As long as Ravens stick to their game plan, Harris said that a win will be just a formality.
The winning team for tonight’s final will take home $100,000, while second place finishers will receive $50,000 and third place finishers will have a chance to pocket $35,000.The final is expected to commence at 9pm following the division three finals between Pacesetters and Demerara Colours Panthers which is slated to tip off at 19:00hrs.
