Plaisance Guardians clinched the Brusches U-18 Basketball Classic title, defeating Victory Valley Royals by a 61-53 scoreline on Saturday at the Mackenzie hardcourt, Linden.
A brilliant showing from eventual Most Valuable Player awardee Nigel Bowen secured the title for the East Coast Demerara unit as he recorded a monstrous 28 points. Emerging star Israel Yaw was the next best scorer with 17 points, while Shaquan Archer added seven points.
For the losers, Immanuel La Rose and Kobe Tappin battled to 13 and 12 points respectively. The next best scorers with 10 and eight points were Shemar Henry and Leon Benjamin respectively.
The opening stanza failed to separate the two teams, as it ended 9-9.
However, Plaisance took control of the matchup in the second period, netting 18 points while restricting the Royals’ offence to a meagre seven points to lead 27-16 at the halftime break.
Royals responded in the third quarter, reducing the deficit to seven points as they out-hustled Plaisance 18-14 to trail 41-34 entering the final quarter.
Nonetheless, Plaisance secured the coveted title in the fourth period, as they outscored Royals 20-19. Meanwhile, Kwakwani secured the third position, overcoming Kings 62-57. Rayon Shortt top-scored in the win with 27 points, with Kadeem Dover and Demarcus Adams adding 12 and eight points each.
For the losers, Tyrese Cummings and Jaden Rose scored 12 points each while Gevon Ross added 10 points.
Leading 19-18 at the end of the first quarter, Kwakwani maintained their grip on the contest, as they outscored Kings 10-6 to lead 29-24 at the end of the second stanza.
The lead was maintained heading into the final interval, as both teams scored 18 points in the pivotal third quarter which ended 47-42. The result was then sealed as the fourth period mirrored the third, with both teams scoring 15 points.
In the individual section of the presentation, Plaisance Guardians walked away with every accolade, as Yaw was adjudged the Best Defensive Player, Moses Matthews copped the Most Assists title and Junior Hercules pocketed the Best Coach accolade.
