Linden All-Star Basketball tonight

Jul 10, 2009 Sports

East, West to ignite lasting rivalry

Marvin Hartman

By Edison Jefford
The East and West of Linden will give the novel Linden Amateur Basketball Association [LABA] Executive the proper introduction to its programmes when the best first division players in the town face off in an All-Star Showtime.
The event that was expected to mark CARICOM celebrations on Monday was moved to this evening at the Mackenzie Sports Club court where a schools rivalry is expected to launch the inaugural ‘Extravaganza’ event from 7pm.
The strength of the East rest heavily on the players that made the cut from Jets and Kings with minor support expected from the minnow club players. The East has three national senior players who will make a definite impact.
National guard Steve Neils Jr. comes off a successful Final Four run in the just concluded Inter-Ward Basketball Championships. He is captain of the East and has his two national counterparts, Jason Alonzo and Marvin Hartman.
Alonzo, who was also drafted for the Inter-Ward, had become a major problem low in the paint, averaging approximately five blocks in the tournament. He is the ‘big man’ in the East while Hartman will most likely play forward.
Jets’ point guard, Kevin Joseph, who lit up the Sports Hall during the Next Level contest earlier this year, is expected to start for the East that will probably go with Alonzo, Neils, Hartman, Joseph and Alistair Webster as their five.

Nevin Grenville

The East has a more inexperienced supporting cast when compared to the West. The likes of high school prodigy, Akeem Kanhai and Neil Simon are exposed players with Leonard Caleb earning some stripes with his Inter-Ward draft.
This is as deep as the East goes but they will depend on the talent of these eight players to get them past an extremely tough, skilful and experienced West unit that national forward Dwayne ‘Sugar’ Roberts will lead tonight.
Roberts also has two national players on his side with Quincy Jones and Trevor Profit on the team. Jones is one of the best second-attempts players in Guyana while Profit is tested and proven in the guard/forward position.
The West has included more point and shooting guards than the East with naming Anson Durant, junior sensation Chris Williams, Kurliegh Austin and Nevin Grenville in a clear bid at giving the West necessary transition speed.
Roberts, Jones, Profit, Grenville and Durant will probably start for the West with changes most likely at top with the guards. Roberts, Jones and Profit are definite starters. Terrance James was also included on the West side.
The equilibrium is set for what will be one of the best basketball encounters in Linden in recent times given the quality of the players that will be showcased. It will not be short of Showtime performances and individual skill.
The Demerara River already divides the two sides and a win for either team could plunge them into greater opposition for years to come. This could be the beginning of a duel that is worthy of future folklore and street corner gaff.