Ravens were crowned the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) Hard-Court u23 champion, squeaking past Pacesetters by a 45-41 scoreline yesterday at the Plaisance Community Basketball Court.
With 11 seconds left on the clock and the score at 43-41, Jaleel Duke had an opportunity to equalise for Pacesetters from the free-throw line following a foul from Murtland Ward.
However the rising star cracked under the pressure to miss both chances, allowing Anfernee Jervis to race away and seal the game through a layup following the rebound.
This all occurred after Pacesetters reduced a five point deficit at the start of the fourth period with the score at 35-28 in the cagey affair.
Pacesetters pulled within two points of Ravens at 36-34 following a 6-1 run in the first four minutes of the period. However Ravens regained control of the fixture, outscoring their foe 7-0 to lead 43-34 with less than three minutes remaining. The dramatic conclusion was eventually realized as Pacesetters out-hustled Ravens compliments of a 7-0 run of their own to pull the score within two points at 43-41 in the final seconds.
For the winner, Nduku Horatio top scored with nine points while Ward chipped in with eight points. On the other side, Nathan Saul recorded a game high 21 points.
Prior to the end, Ravens claimed the first period as they recorded 17 points to Pacesetters 14 points. Horatio scored five points while Ward assisted with four points.
For Pacesetters, Saul shot his way to 12 points. The second period witnessed Ravens extending their advantage, scoring 12 points while restricting Pacesetters to six points to lead 29-20 at the halftime interval.
Ward led the way with four points for Ravens while Saul played a lone hand with four points for Pacesetters. The third period was a low scoring affair and witnessed Pacesetters reducing the deficit to four points as they outshot Ravens 8-6 to enter the final period trailing at 35-28.
Meanwhile the Open Final between stage one winner Ravens and Pacesetters was ongoing up to press time.
If Pacesetters were to win the matchup, the Open tourney will progress to a playoff because three teams won a leg of the event. Ravens secured stage one while Colts claimed stage two. The differential in points will determine who will get the bye to the final during the possible playoff.
