Dyna’s Ravens marched into the semifinal with a thrilling win over TGH Pacesetters joined by three other teams in the latest action of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation Road to Mecca national inter club basketball tournament Sunday night. It was the final game of the night, but it was worth the wait as every minute of each quarter was filled with excitement. Ravens took the initial lead ending the first quarter with the scoreboard reading 21-14 in their favor.
The second quarter saw a rejuvenated Pacesetters team working very hard to maintain control of the ball as they took a one point lead heading into the second half.
With the teams closely locked at 41-40 in favor of Pacesetters, Ryan Stephney (12) and Akeem Kanhi (12) combined to score frequent points to ensure their team regain the lead at the end of the quarter. The final quarter began with Ravens holding a one point advantage 52-51 over Pacesetters.
Stephon Gillis and Travis Burnett tried their utmost to stop Ravens, however, good team work by the Ravens prevented them from doing so.
With the final 30 seconds to go the scores were equal at 58, Ravens was handed two free throws but only managed to score one, to go one point clear of their opponents. Pacesetters then attempted a two pointer which was missed, with a Ravens’ player collecting the rebound to score a two pointer to ensure his team’s victory by three points.
Gillis finished with 23 points, three rebounds and two steals for TGH Pacesetters, receiving support from Burnett who scored 10 points and pulled down five rebounds.
Ravens will now prepare to face Colts who defeated Pepsi Sonics by 14 points in the night’s first game. Captain of Colts Dave Causway led his team into the semifinals with 19 points, seven rebounds, one assist and two steals. He received support from Shelroy Thomas 16 points, seven rebounds and four steals and Steve Mc Swen 13 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks and three steals to take their team to 65-51 victory. Trevor Smith scored 17 points for Sonics, receiving support from captain Jason Squires and Collis Plied who scored 11 and 10 points respectively.
Amelia’s Wards Jets outplayed Victory Valley Royals in the second game by 11 points: scores are, AW Jets 67 points (Shane Webster 22 points, 15 rebounds, one steal, Emmanuel Archibald 14 points, Rodwell Pellew 11 points) defeated V.V Royals 56 points (Harold Adams 18 points and 10 rebounds and Ron Beckles 11 points and 13 rebounds) by 11 points. The penultimate game also ended in a close contest as Retrieve gain victory over the Kings by 2 points. For the Raiders Dwayne Roberts and Keon Cameron scored 21 and 20 points respectively to take their team to a total of 57 points, against the Kings Omally Sampson (15), Orin Rose (14) and Steve Neils jnr. (10). The final day of competition is set for Sunday, with the first game set to be an exhibition game between 3rd division champions TGH Pacesetters facing UG Trojans, followed by the two semifinals and finals. Semifinals one will see Retrieve Raiders coming up against Amelia’s Ward Jets, with the Colts facing Dyna’s Ravens in the second. Gates will be open from 5pm.
