Pepsi Sonics tame Bulls

Mar 10, 2009 Sports

Jets escape Rangers in thriller

Ryan Melville

By Edison Jefford
Basketball enthusiasts at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall Sunday night were tossed into a frenzy in the final minute of an intriguing thriller between Macabees Rangers and the superior Linden team, Amelia’s Ward Jets.
Entering the final minute with the scores surprisingly locked on 71 points, Jets took a one point lead 7271 with 13.9 seconds remaining, but Rangers’ Kananiel Stewart scored one of two free shots to equalise with nine seconds left.
However, unfazed with the status of the game and clearly not looking to go into overtime, Jets’ starting guard, Kevin Joseph rushed the ball up the court and made a clinical nolook baseline pass to Domain Webster in the paint.
Webster composed himself to finish the easy layup, which gave Jets a 7572 points win after an Akeem Khanai free shot. Jets were exasperated after being amazingly forced to play from behind in the final three minutes of the game.

Neil Simon, who was responsible for giving Jets an advantage with a 6460 lead early in the fourth quarter with a threepoint jumper, finished with 22 points while Joseph had 18 points, Webster 16 points and Khanai 12 points.
Rangers panicked down the stretch after taking control of a game that Jets were identified as clear favourites. Jets are currently ranked among the top three clubs in Linden while Rangers occupy the last half of the table in Georgetown.
Hodayah Stewart scored 25 points for Rangers in a solo and Herculean effort for the team while Kananiel Stewart had 18 points to crown the top two offensive performances for the team that threw everything at the superior Jets.

The featured game fell well below expectations as Sonics easily took advantage of Bulls from the first whistle as Coach Mark Agard effectively implemented various pressure defence techniques that included zone press.

IN YOUR FACE!!! Pepsi Sonics', Trevor Smith (left) goes up for the second of his two threepoint jumpers in the face of Bulls' Sean Kaston at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall Sunday night.

The tactic helped Sonics raced to a 2614 points lead with five minutes remaining before halftime. With an offensive edge already in the bag, Agard released the press defence and opted to experiment with a few untested players.
The pressure prevented dominant performances from guard Kurleigh Austin and forward Terrence James as the two leading Bulls were consistently tamed. The result was an easy, comfortable and welcomed 5945 point victory.

Ryan Melville scored 18 points for Sonics while Trevor Smith added a useful nine points and Rawle White seven points. The trio, along with Richard Braithwaite at the bottom, clearly took the initiative away from Bulls.
Ryan Joseph had 14 points for Bulls while James had 12 points in performances that fell well below par and lacked support. It was probably an oversight from the management of the Bulls to add so many young players to its roster.
The Next Level Entertainment Championships continues tonight at the same venue when Georgetown’s Nets take on Linden’s Retrieve Raiders and Patriots challenge Beepat Scorpions in the continuation of the rivalry.

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