Dynas Ravens clinched a 64-45 win over West Side Warriors when the Open Section of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) ‘King of the Hard Court’ Championship continued on Wednesday at the Burnham Court.
Marlon Rodrigues top scored for either side in the win with 20 points. He was supported by Ryan Gullen, Dominic Vicente and Tyrone Hamid who netted eighth points each while Jermin Slater chipped in with five points.
Meanwhile Ralph Browne led the losers with 17 points while Devon Murray and Caleb Morrison netted 12 and six points respectively. The opening period of the fixture would set the tone for a cagey affair as both sides struggled offensively, netting 12 points each in the stanza.
Rodrigues and Gullen top scored with four points each for the city side while Vicente netted a three- pointer to start their scoring. Two layups highlighted Rodrigues’ contribution while Gullen netted two free throws and a layup.
Meanwhile Browne and Murray led the visitors with four points each. Browne netted a layup and a jump-shot while Murray netted two layups. The second stanza would then witness Ravens seizing control of the match as they outshot Warriors 23-10 to lead 35-22.
Rodrigues was once again the chief scorer with seven points highlighted by a three-point play from a layup and a free throw and two layups. Lending support was Slater who netted five points through a two layups and a free-thrown and Hamid who netted four point through two layups. Similarly Browne top scored with four points from two free throws and a layup. Ravens would continue to maintain their advantage in the third period, despite being outscored by a 12-9 score line.
Morrison shot his way to four points from two jump-shots while the ever present Browne constantly attacked the rim for his four points. Scoring four points for Raven off the bench was Jermaine Benjamin. Leading 44-34 going into the final period, the Georgetown unit would net 20 points in the period while reducing the Warriors to nine points to seal the win. Rodrigues saved his best for the last as he netted nine points in the quarter compliments of three layups and a three-point dagger.
Supporting with five points in the period was Vicente who netted a layup and a three-pointer in the final three seconds of the matchup. Like the starting period, Browne was the top scorer with five points from a layup, jump-shot and a free throw attempt.
Netting four points was Murray who constantly attacked the rim. In the earlier matchup of the section, Plaisance Guardians dismantled the University of Guyana (UG) Trojans 85-57. Nikkoloi Smith shot his way to a game high 34 points while Ron Campbell supported with 17 points.
Leading the loser with 20 points was Emmanuel Archibald while Quacey Easton chipped in with 12 points. Trailing by one point after a 19-18 opening period, Guardians would outscore the Trojans 21-8 to take a commanding 39-27 lead into the half time break.
The East Coast of Demerara side would continue their dominance in the third stanza, outscoring the educational institution 19-9 to go into the final period ahead 58-36. Guardians would then complete the easy win in the final period, outshooting Trojans 27-21.
Action in the tourney is slated to continue at the same venue today with three fixtures. In the opening matchup at 18:00hrs, Melanie Patriots will face off with Knights in an u-23 matchup while Plaisance Guardians will tackle Buxton in the second fixture of the division at 20:00hrs.
The final matchup of the card will witness Trinity Grid Pacesetters tackling Eagles from 22:00hrs in an Open Division showdown.
