Game on for Albouystown/Charlestown, North Ruimveldt

May 28, 2009 Sports

– collide for place in Inter-Ward Final

Rodwell Fortune

Andrew Ifill

By Edison Jefford

Albouystown/Charlestown and North Ruimveldt are expected to play in an atmosphere fit for a final, when they collide in game three of the best-of-three semi-final series of the HJTV and Lens Craft Inter-Ward Basketball Championship tonight.
Albouystown blew out North in game one, but North returned to force game three with an emphatic win, which meant that both teams are capable of offensive demolitions, but must decide what will give either an edge this evening.
North is obviously the better team on paper, but Albouystown seem to be more focused on playing in their first final of the New Millennium. North were the last winners of the major calendar event.
An analysis of the head-to-head match-ups should give some insight into the team that is likely to come out on top. There is no doubt that quality basketball is in store, since both teams will look to secure a place in the final.

North’s Andrew ‘Mr’ Dunk’ Ifill has to deal with the aggressive Dwayne ‘Sugar’ Roberts from the opposing unit. This is perhaps one of the most significant factors, since whoever prevails will hand his team victory.
The two players have one thing in common: they both have a perimeter jump shot to add to their inside game. ‘Sugar’ was not as sweet as Ifill from outside in game two, which is an area of concern for him in this crucial game.
Roberts had a deadly jumper in the first game when he was not getting the penetration, but when that is taken away from him, as in game two, his offence goes. He merely scored nine points in the second game with his jumper gone.

It seems as though North have figured out a way to mark Roberts, but do Albouystown have an answer for Ifill? Despite Albouystown’s clear win in game one, Ifill still managed 20 points in a trend that has dominated all his appearances. Take Roberts outside, increase the interior defence and force him to shoot the ball with an inconsistent jump shot – sound like a good plan to get Roberts out of the game. But what is Albouystown’s plan to shut down Ifill’s offence?
North can easily go to their bench to help with Roberts. They can resort to Sereiah Clarke and Damian Liverpool; Rudy James will also assist at the bottom for North. Albouystown are without a perfect substitute for forward, Roberts.
So when it comes to the bottom in the centre and power forward positions, North emerge the clear winners, but in the guard position they have some problems, not with talent but rather rotation, speed and dribble penetrations.

Dwayne Roberts

Ryan Stephney

Rodwell Fortune was one of the major reasons why Albouystown won game one, he still remains a problem for North that found a partial solution in Ryan Stephney for game two and will most likely go a similar route tonight.

Fortune is quick and easily takes his defence off the dribble where he penetrates looking for an attempt. If the chance is not there with the entire defence surrounding him, Fortune passes the ball back out for an open jump shot.
Guards with speed often master that dribble penetration technique and Ryan Stephney has that ability for North. He was able to match Fortune in game two, which took the latter off his offensive game – he must be endowed tonight.
Stephney and Darcel Harris will play in the front court for North, with Fortune and Trevor McCleod occupying similar positions for Albouystown. Head-to-head, North win in this position, but lose on effectiveness and potency.
This game is difficult to call. It can go either way, since what Albouystown’s bottom lose they make up at the top.
North is definitely the more complete of the two teams but have to engender more team work to match Albouystown.

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