Turner’s game winner pilots Bulls past Raiders in 53-52 overtime thriller

Nov 19, 2012 Sports

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BOSAI Minerals Group Inc Open Challenge B/ball final

Michael Turner played his heart out and restrained himself after collecting four fouls within the first half, to hit the game winning shot on the left side key with 4.9secs to go in overtime, to guide the Half Mile Bulls to a sensational 53-52 win over previously unbeaten Retrieve Raiders and capture the BOSAI Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc Open challenge basketball championship final which was organized by the Linden Amateur Basketball Association Saturday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court.

In front of a large crowd which had gathered for the championship game, after the Kashif and Shanghai Kings failed to show against Amelia’s Ward Jets for the third place playoff match, the basketball fans were treated to a tensely contested final which could have gone either way, as both teams provided the fans with some spectacular shooting.
The scores were tied with 7:40 gone in the first quarter at 13, before Raiders’ substitute Alexander ‘Cow Skin’ Rose showed some of the spark which piloted Raiders past Kings in their semifinal game, as he slashed his way inside to register three successive baskets and put Raiders in the lead 19-13 with 4:55 to go.
After Raiders had opened by taking the initiative in the first quarter leading 12-8, an aggressive Turner had scored six points in a stretch, and with some help from small forward Keon Cameron they ensured the balance was tilted for the Bulls going into the crucial third quarter period, as they led 26-23.
By then Turner had accumulated four fouls but he played within himself knowing that another foul would end his time on the floor.
However, Raiders managed to control their game and ended the third quarter looking for a win, as Louis James and Sheldon Noel played well for Raiders, who held on to a 38-32 cushion.
As the fourth quarter showed, both sides boosting talented players battled, but it was a matter of who executed better that will come out winners.
When the burly Bulls guard Sean Easton drove the lane with 8:8 left, the Half Mile side were down 36-38 and Raiders’ Anson Durant showed his class with one from beyond the arc for Raiders who opened up a 41-36 lead.   But with baskets from Cameron, a lay-up with 6mins 48 to go and another from Easton the Bulls were within reach trailing 40-41.
The experienced Kurleigh Austin then sent Bulls ahead with 6mins 7secs to go and Turner penetrating, pushed Bulls to a 44-41 advantage, with just over five minutes in the fourth quarter, which brought Bulls within a basket of their opponents.
But baskets by the returning Sean Easton, who like Durant were crucial signees to these two clubs who have a host of young talented players, and they have provided guidance.
As the tension gripped the players they all missed one of two freebies after drawing fouls with both teams in the penalty. However, Turner it was who was able to knot the scores with 17.1 secs in the game after the Raiders, were leading 45-44.
Overtime was ordered by the game officials with the scores tied at 45 when regulation finished. Ruel Williams and Omar Sam then scored high percentage shots inside but Bulls responded through Keon Cameron first with one from beyond the arc (48-49), then Easton connected from 3 point territory for a 51-49 score.
Then raiders’ forward Louis James swished in to tie the scores at 51 with 1min 57 secs to go in overtime.  It was then that Cameron was fouled out and when Sheldon Noel was fouled he made only one of two free throws for Raiders to edge ahead 52-51.
But Turner shot in the dagger with 4.9 secs as he pulled up for short jumper and scored to send the fans into a frenzy as the Bulls eventually won the game 53-52. Turner was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the final for his sterling effort with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Cameron his partner netted a team high 14 points and three rebounds. Solid support came from Travis Dryden and Sean Easton each with nine points for the winners
The Raiders best scorers were Louis James with 13 points and Anson Durant with 12 as Noel scored six.
The winners collected the BOSAI winners’ trophy and $60,000 for the victory along with thirteen replicas from BOSAI Sports Committee Chairman Mr. Wayne Bethune who made the presentation.
The second place trophy and medals along with $30,000 were collected by the losing finalist Retrieve Raiders from Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon as the Amelia’s Ward Jets got their trophy and $20,000 for taking third position from LABA president Captain Eon Murray. The MVP trophy was presented by Ms Vanessa Kissoon to Turner.

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