Latest update December 19th, 2024 3:22 AM
Ravens, Pacesetters reignite long rivalry tonight
…As Bulls charge Pistons in Brusche’s Final Four
Darcel Harris
By Edison Jefford
Whether pundits like it or not, tonight will be one of the best nights in local basketball this summer when two of the best teams in Georgetown and Linden play each other for places in the 2009 Brusche’s Basketball Classic Final.
Defending champions Courts Pacesetters will play its nemesis in the City, Dyna’s Ravens in one of the semis while Bulls charge Pistons in another semi-final. Only the latter of the two encounters have a clear favourite in Pistons.
Courts and Ravens have had many interesting exchanges in the past and tonight that will not change even though they both will be meeting at the Mackenzie Sports Club Court, in an effort that could interestingly level the scores.
First, it is not a game that national point guard Darcel Harris can afford to direct from the bench as he did against Jets in the first round. Courts will definitely employ their leading players to give them an advantage in the game.
Harris has to play against Pacesetters as the Ravens are clearly in a transition phase with its coach, Lugard Mohan becoming a FIBA accredited referee and Harris obviously interested in taking over the leadership of the team.
The point guard will get assistance from Damian Liverpool and Kevin Lawrence, who has stepped up in a major way for them with added responsibility. Critically, there is not a single match locally for guard Rodwell ‘Kobe’ Fortune.
The supporting cast for Ravens include Ryan Stephney, Ryan Gullen and Rudy James in a balance offensive and defensive line-up. These players will be heavily challenged to get their ‘A-Game’ in tact against top seeded Pacesetters.
The Courts-sponsored team has a strong administrative component that seems to produce the right results on the court. They won the inaugural Brusche’s Classic and will be keen to defend that title with every open opportunity.
Naylon Loncke played in the first round and will play tonight, so will guard, Hugh Arthur and forward Royston Siland, who were the top scorers in their first game, and add a new threatening offensive combination to the team.
Shooting sensation Stephon Gillis was outside the points but he was the main architect of Pacesetters win the tournament last year. He loves the Mackenzie court and will be just as lethal if he is not guard with some amount of potency.
Clement Brusche is the beast on the inside. His match-up is another beast, Gullen. These two players are tough and aggressive but Gullen is far more versatile with both inside and outside plays. Brusche has proven to be a better rebounder.
The game is poised for a gruelling encounter with Ravens having more offensive options. The other semi will be a toss up since Bulls have already proven in the tournament that they can beat big teams with their win over Kings.
Pistons are the better team on paper. They are the current national champions but the last time this writer said that Kings will batter Bulls, the latter happened so to refrain from the embarrassment, the game will be left for a final result.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
The stakes are high in Guyana’s democracy
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- In any vibrant democracy, the mechanisms that bind it together are those that mediate differences,... more
Let the asylum seekers go: a first step for Venezuela to rebuild relations in the Americas
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – The government of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela has steadfast support from many... more
Weekend Cartoon
