Block 22 Flames won the Linden Amateur Basketball Association’s (LABA) sanctioned Kevin Joseph/Team 13 U-23 Championship, defeating Victory Valley Royals 64-55 at the Amelia’s Ward Hard Court.
In what was a rematch of the earlier group round, which ended favourably for the Royals via a 57-34 score, the Flames, led by an impressive scoring effort from eventual Most Valuable Player awardee Lerone Joseph, secured the unlikely result.
Joseph recorded a game high 27 points, with support emanating from the duo of Jonathan Clarke and Humane Reynolds, who supported with 19 and 12 points, respectively. On the other side, national player Kobe Tappin was restricted to a meagre 14 points, while R. Hinds supported with 10 points.
The first period set the tone for a competitive contest, as the Flames secured a marginal 15-13 advantage.
However, Royals responded in the second period, netting 17 points while restricting Flames to 15 points to level proceedings at 30-30 heading into the halftime interval.
Flames then retook the lead at the conclusion of the pivotal third stanza, as they outscored Royals 15-44 to enter the final quarter ahead at 45-44.
The Flames unit then recorded their best scoring effort of the contest, netting 19 points while reducing the Royals to a mere 11 points to secure the hard-fought win and championship.
Meanwhile, the Retrieve Raiders defeated Amelia’s Ward Jets 64-56 in the third-place playoff.
