Four more teams advanced to the quarterfinals of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Road to Mecca tournament, after second day action at the Cliff Anderson Sport last Sunday.
On the back of a brilliant performance by Shane Webster 24 points, 14 rebounds and three blocked shots, Amelia’s Ward Jets (84) handed Black Sharks (32) the night’s largest margin of defeat winning by 52 points.
The Jets, who ended the first quarter with an 18 points lead, took full advantage of the early break completing the first half with a 48-19 advantage against the Sharks. Emmanuel Archibald and Parish Cadogan scored 13 and 10 points respectively as their team recorded a comfortable win in their first game of the tournament. Jovrell Fraser scored more than half his team’s total, scoring 17 points and pulling down six rebounds to go along with his three steals in the defeat.
Pepsi Sonics (95) crushed Canje Knights (46) by 49 points as the Berbice team failed to recover from a horrible first quarter. Captain of the Pepsi Sonics team Jason Squires had a triple double of 26 points, 12 rebounds and 13 steals. He also had seven assist for good measure.
Squires’ team mates Kerwin Jackson, Collis Pluck and Junior Lovell scored 14, 12 and 11 points respectively to conclude a great team effort.
Kevon Emanuel’s effort of 17 points, 20 rebounds and eight steals was not enough for the Knights who managed only 46 points.
In the closest game of the night, Victory Valley Royals (66) managed to edge Plaisance Guardians (58) by eight points in a see saw match. The first quarter ended with the Royals holding a four point lead over the Guardians who then took the lead by 10 points at the end of the first half as Colvin Nurse (25 points) begin to score at will. By the close of the third quarter both teams were playing their best basketball and the quarter ended with the Guardians (49) still holding the lead though by a mere two points.
Harold Adams saved his best for last to ensure his team came out victorious he finished with 23 points 18 rebounds and five steals receiving support from Alwyn Rodney (10 points, two rebounds and three steals) and Dwight Cooper (nine points, eight rebounds and three steals).
The final game of the night was won by Trinity Grid Holding (TGI) Pacesetters (72) who got the better of Half Mile Bulls (52) by 20 points. Randy Richardson (19 points, 11 rebounds and a solitary steal), Travis Burnette (13 points, two rebounds and seven steals) and Keith Tute (12 points, two rebounds and one steal) were the outstanding performers for TGI Pacesetters while Michael Turner and Mark Rose were the principal scorers for Half Mile Bulls with 11 and 10 points respectively.
The competition continues Sunday with quarterfinals games at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from 6pm.
Caption: captain and top scorer for Pepsi Sonics Jason Squires
