Latest update October 7th, 2026 10:23 AM
VV Royals resist Bulls’ stampede
– win LABA Under-23 C/ship
By Edison Jefford
Victory Valley Royals Basketball Club proved that their future is in good hands when their youth team resisted a belated stampede from Bulls to win the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) Under-23 Championship Saturday night.
ROYALTY!!! Victory Valley Royals’ victorious Under-23 team pose for this Kaieteur Sport photo following their emphatic win against Bulls Saturday night.
Royals came away with a 77-65 points’ win at the Mackenzie Sports Club after leading 43-23 at halftime. Shooting guard Chris Williams blistered Bulls from downtown to ensure that his name is mentioned for MVP with his 30-point performance.
Alvin Rodney and Marvin Russell supported Williams with 16 and 15 points respectively for the number one ranked Division I Club in Linden. Michael Turner made a Herculean effort for Bulls and was the only player in double figures with 28 points.
Royals surged to 24-6 run in the second quarter after a closely fought first quarter that included a three-point play from Dave Hopkinson, which initiated the run. Williams then applied salt to the already gashing wound with a big three-point shot.
The two consecutive three point plays placed Royals ahead 30-17 before Rodney’s penetration in paint knocked Bulls into a defensive abyss. The subsequent three minutes halftime was more like a basketball ‘finishing’ clinic compliments of young Royalty.
Williams collected an assist, stopped at the three-point arc and loosed a jumper in the faces of the tame Bulls that hit nothing but net. He then made two free-throws before helping guard Russell, who shot the ball at a high percentage, to a fast-break finish.
Williams dominated the half with 18 points as Royals basically slaughtered Bulls for an offensive feast in the first 20 minutes of the final. However, Turner still had some will that pulled Bulls to a 15-7 run in the first seven minutes of the third quarter.
Turner increased his intensity and started to beautifully work the ball inside and the game shifted in momentum. Royals’ 20-point lead at halftime was down to eight (52-44) in the last minute of the third quarter, which ended 59-46 in favour of Royals.
Bulls’ stampede continued as Royals’ lethal first-half offence became inconsistent under the new defensive pressure. Turner penetrated and Laurent Sampson landed a three-pointer to keep Bulls in the game but Russell responded with a three-pointer.
Russell’s shot evaded trouble for Royals after Bulls had raged to within four points (63-59) with three minutes left in the game. Turner scored a free-throw, Keon Cameron made a lay-up and the lanky Sampson finish an ‘And One’ play for Bulls.
The offensive surge for the team that trailed throughout the game helped them to 65 points as 70 was on the scorecards for Royals with one minute left the final. However, Bulls’ coach Claude Williams could not devise an offensive plan to help his team.
As a result, Royals scored seven points in the final minute compared to Bulls’ naught that gave them the inaugural LABA Under-23 title and a promising future with the many young talents on display at the Mecca of basketball in the Mining Town.
Kings had won the third place game via walkover after New Ballers failed to show up. Royals, in the semis, had defeated Kings while Bulls had a one-point win against New Ballers the previous night at the Mackenzie Sports Club basketball court.
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