Ravens look to extend winning streak tonight

Oct 06, 2010 Sports

– Pacesetters want to end series in two games

By Edison Jefford
There is always an abundance of confidence and sense of purpose around the Ravens camp and it is against that background that the number one ranked Georgetown club will enter tonight’s clash against long-standing Division I nemesis, Courts Pacesetters.
Something special always happen when these teams meet; whether it is an upsurge of emotion or creative output, games between Ravens and Pacesetters are never short of entertainment. There is absolutely no doubt that tonight’s game will be traditional.
The grassroots banter started weeks ago, ever since the two teams were aware that they might be meeting in the final of the Pepsi Street Series. While Ravens have been a bit more reserved in the pre-game talk, Pacesetters have been the more outspoken team.
Courts Pacesetters Coach, Robert ‘Bobby’ Cadogan told Kaieteur Sport earlier this week that his team will end the three-game series in two games, meaning the number two ranked Pacesetters is intent on sweeping Ravens, a team with a 2-0 record against them.
The last time they met, Ravens thrashed Pacesetters 69-49 in a hard fought defensive battle at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in January. The outdoor Burnham Basketball Court will have its own challenges for both teams, but they have duly acclimatised.
Both teams played the last half of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association Open League on the refurbished Burnham Court, which means that they should be used to the conditions and it would be safe to conclude that the playing field is levelled.
With that said, the big question is what Pacesetters need to do to change their fortunes against the Ravens? Cadogan believes that they need to play more defence and show more discipline, but the actual game situations are far more complex than those concepts.
Pacesetters have allowed their status in local basketball to erode their work ethic on the court and once that can be adequately addressed, rest assure that tonight’s game will be a classic that is far more superior to any drawing board tactic from Cadogan.
Until Pacesetters realise, and the past League showed that they have begun to do so, that winning is a habit and there are many teams waiting in the wings like Scorpions, who topped the Division III League, then their attitude toward competing will change.
The point is that many clubs in Georgetown are eager to assert their place at the top. The Ravens is just one of those clubs, and now that they are there it will be hard for the Pacesetters to dispose them even after the result of the last two encounters among them.
Ravens’ strength comes from players understanding their roles. Guards Ryan Stephney, Stephon Henry and Rodwell Fortune are comfortable with the roles they play in supporting starting guard, Darcel Harris whenever he decides to lace his sneakers, which is rare.
Harris has been coaching the team for the past year and a half, which has restricted him to a more sporadic role on the court. Stephney has been his protégé while Fortune, the little big man, is in a league of his own with his speed and inside leaping ability.
Those front men combined with the potent forwards, Dwayne Roberts, Ryan Gullen, Rudy James and Damian Liverpool makes life difficult for any defence. Cadogan was right when he said he is preaching defence, but that alone will not win the basketball game.
More players need to have senior roles for Pacesetters. The traditional favourites cannot carry the burden of the offence all the time. Cadogan has to find some way of increasing the confidence of his bench so that they know that they too can transform games.
Jermaine Hamilton looks to be an aggressive player but has limited minutes, for instance. He can be a good buffer for national forward Royston Siland, but needs the time. Stephon Gillis needs to understand his role and adopt both outside and inside plays.
If Gillis’ shots are not dropping what is his alternative? He rarely adjusts to driving the ball to the basket and Ravens will know that if they shut off that shot, Gillis is out of the game. Guard Hugh Arthur and Travis Burnett will have critical roles to play tonight.
Judging this one from just the rosters, Ravens seem much deeper and Pacesetters much eager and when combined, the result is a championship game.

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