Canje Knights downed Fyrish Black Sharks 85-79 when the Berbice Amateur Basketball Association [BABA] ‘Karibee Rice’ championships continued Sunday at the Vryman’s Erven court.
Steve Ramnarine top scored for the winners with 28 points while the combination of Kevin Emmanuel and Travis Sutton were the next best scorers with 18 and 16 points respectively. The duo of Damion Hunte and Jason Glaston added 13 and six points respectively.
For Fyrish Black Sharks, Garfield Benjamin amassed a game-high 33 points while Jamal Felix chipped in with 23 points. The next best scorer with 12 points was Tyrone Dey, while Carl Logan added seven points.
The matchup started positively for Knights, who seized the first period, after outscoring their foes 20-17.
Knights built on their lead in the second quarter, netting 21 points to their opponent’s 16 points, to enter the halftime period in control at 41-33.
Their advantage marginally grew in the pivotal third quarter, tallying 16 points while restricting Black Sharks to 15 points to lead 57-48 entering the final quarter.
Knights held on to secure the result in a high-scoring final period, as Black Sharks marginally outscored their foe 31-28.
Meanwhile, coordinator of the event Vibert Garrett said that an investigation is ongoing into the premature end of the New Amsterdam [NA] Thunders and Ithaca Hardliners clash on September 2nd.
The home side, NA Thunders, walked off the court led by their coach, citing poor officiating. At the time of the abrupt end at the NA Court, the visiting unit was firmly in control at 8-0 less than four minutes into the game.
Garrett, who also holds the portfolio of BABA President said, “The matter is still under investigation and a decision will be made shortly by the Executive Committee of the BABA. In the coming days a decision will be made following a report that I have to prepare on the incident.”
He added: “A decision will then be taken by the committee after the report is submitted. Sanctions for both the coach and the team are a possibility due to what occurred.”
The genesis of the problem started after the officials and the coordinator indicated to the home side that Shemar France was ineligible to play because he is presently a member of a Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association [GABA] team and could not play in two different associations at the same time.
The match will not be replayed and the win was awarded to Ithaca Hard-Liners, following the walkout by the Thunders.
The five-team tournament continues on Sunday at the Rose Hall court, with home side Rose Hall Town Jammers battling Fyrish Black Sharks in the first semi-final from 16:00hrs.
The second semi-final will occur at a later date and will pit Ithaca Hardliners against Canje Knights. Cash incentives and trophies will be awarded to the top two finishers.
