Central Mackenzie end North’s unbeaten run

Apr 27, 2010 Sports

– reach Mackeson Super Ward B/ball Final

Marvin Hartman

By Edison Jefford

Excellent crunch-time defence coupled with the requisite offence helped Linden’s Central Mackenzie end Georgetown Inter-Ward Champions, North Ruimveldt’s unbeaten run and propelled the Lindeners into the Mackeson Super Ward Basketball Final.
Central Mackenzie, who lost national centre Jason Alonzo in the third period to an injury, held their composure in the final three minutes of the game to win 56-46 in a low-scoring defensive game that was short on offensive intensity.
Forward, Marvin Hartman poured in 19 points that included a crucial three-point jumper in the final two minutes of the game, which gave his team a 45-42 points’ advantage after the scores were tied on 42 points in a ‘do-or-die’ situation.
It was the last of Hartman’s four three-point jumpers, which in the contest of the low-scoring game, was huge. Guard, Steve Neils Jr. supported with 17 points that included, as well, a ‘big’ three-pointer to stretch Central’s lead.
Neils landed a dagger with just over a minute left in the final quarter that gave his team a 48-42 points’ lead. The gradual offensive break gave Central the right momentum in an even battle for a chance to play for $500,000 in the final.

Steve Neils

Odley Alleyne completed the leading scorers list for Central Mackenzie with 11 points in a game that he consistently gave his team an edge on the ‘boards’. Alleyne’s three boards were not indicative of his dominance Sunday night.
North’s Captain, coach and lead point guard, Darcel Harris had told this newspaper that he anticipates that his team will go unbeaten in the massive tournament, but Central had other plans for the most dominant Georgetown ward.
While Harris was subject to a few harsh calls, the experienced national point guard made all the right moves for his team in the first three quarters. He had 14 points while Ryan Stephney had seven points to lead North’s scoring.
Harris was forced to adjust his game from just directing the basketball after his ‘big men’ Rudy James and Damian Liverpool were having a fairly bad night, turning over the ball at a high percentage and missing clear-cut and easy attempts.
From jump ball, the encounter was set out as a defensive battle with both teams producing just five points in the first five minutes. The ‘big’ and bulky structure of both teams made scoring difficult in the paint as the guards struggled from outside.
Eventually, a mini-run helped North break away in the last five minutes of the first period to go up 11-5 with Central seemingly dormant. However, Hartman’s penetration, Neils’ handling and Alleyne’s defence stepped up for the Linden side.
The scores were soon levelled at 15-15 apiece and the two teams exchanged points with Central turning 11 seconds, before the halftime break, into an offensive advantage when Neils converted a play to go 23-21 mid-way through the game.
The same aggressive nature of the game continued after dancers and cheer leaders had entertained the fair sized crowd at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, which climaxed when Alonzo sustained a scrape in his left eye causing a delay.
With Alonzo, a 6’7″ centre, who is usually a dominant figure in the paint out of the game and Central Mackenzie obviously concerned, the game briefly tilted in North’s favour with a few sporadic offensive blitzes that surprised Mackenzie.
However, Central not only rallied to win the third period 39-34, but also shut down North in the final two minutes of the game to eventually achieve their goal. Central Mackenzie now await the winner of the Albouystown/Christianburg semi-final.