Amelia’s Ward Jets successfully defended the biennial Brusches Classic Basketball championships after defeating 2013 winners and Georgetown unit Ravens 55-44 Saturday at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Hardcourt, Linden.
Although the plot slightly differed in Saturday’s showdown, the end result was the same, in what was a rematch of the 2015 final (Jets won 69-67). (It was Raven’s third consecutive final. They defeated Linden Kings 51-37 to claim the 2013 title).
Akeem Kanhai, Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the clash two years prior, produced another standout performance to ensure the trophy remained in the Mining Town for another two years.
The versatile guard, who also copped the MVP award for Ravens in the 2013 triumph, recorded impressive figures of 17 points, 11 rebounds (eight defensive), and three blocks in the bruising defensive affair.
The first period highlighted the defensive nature of the showdown with Ravens seizing a marginal 14-12 lead.
Jets fought back to cut the deficit to one in the second period, out-hustling Ravens 15-14 to enter the halftime break trailing by one point 27-28.
Staunch defending in the third quarter handed the Linden unit control of the match. Jets restricted Ravens to a paltry six points while their offense produced their best output with 17 points as they entered the final period ahead at 45-34.
The dogged defending continued in the final stanza, thwarting any hope of Ravens staging a comeback. The defensive nature of the period restricted both teams to only 10 points, in the process sealing the title for Jets.
The Linden team copped $300,000 and the championship trophy while the runners-up walked away with $200,000 and the respective accolade.
The combination of Neil Simon and Adrian Webster provided invaluable support in the win, finishing on 11 and 10 points correspondingly.
For the losing team, Owan Walton top scored with 10 points while the duo of Ryan Gullen and Tyrone Hamid, scored nine and seven points respectively.
Meanwhile, Georgetown unit Colts clinched the third position after crushing Victory Valley Royals of Linden 90-75. Shelroy Thomas led the rout with a game-high 33 points.
Shane Webster was the next best scorer with 22 points while Dennis Niles assisted with 17 points. For the losing team, Harold Adams top scored with 23 points.
Adding 15, 10, and 10 points respectively, were Yannick Tappin, Alwyn Rodney and Marlon Pollydore. From start to finish Colts dictated the contest, securing the first period by a 29-20 scoreline.
The visiting team increased their advantage in the second quarter, recording 22 points while restricting Royals to 17 points to lead 51-37 at the halftime interval.
Colts maintained their dominance in a low scoring third stanza, outscoring Royals 13-11 to enter the final period ahead at 64-48.
With the contest firmly in their control, Colts were marginally outscored 27-26 in the fourth period. With the win, Colts walked away with $100,000 and a trophy.
