LABA/ Malta Supreme Christmas Basketball final…Huge crowd see Royals Chris Williams’ seven 3-pointers in 26 hand royals 66-57 win

Jan 08, 2013 Sports

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Kings take third place against Bulls

It started with the stunning missiles from sharp shooting former junior forward Chris Williams, who poured in seven straight bombs from ‘down-town’ for his 26 game high score, aided and abetted by veteran swingman Julius Carter who broke open a tight game with a ‘dagger-like’ three-pointer on the left side when the scores were knotted at 57.

He combined with experienced power forward Alwyn ‘Shaq’ Wilson on a 9-0 run, to seal a frenetic 66-57 win of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association’s Malta Supreme Magnificent Seven Christmas basketball championship in front of a full house which crammed the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court in record numbers on Saturday night.
Playing in front what must have been a record turnout by basketball fans at the home of basketball in Linden, Williams brought down the Jets with his unerring accuracy of three-point shooting, dismantling the big Jets lineup and in the end Carter with 1:47 to go, paralysed the Jets comeback.
It was a fitting final to what had been a competitive championship and while the scores would reflect that the Royals were ahead at the end of the first quarter 21-17 and at half time 34-29, the game was as tough as one could imagine. By the end of the crucial third quarter the Jets were in sight of making a successful run with a combination of plays surrounding the Webster brothers Allister and national centre Shane, power forward  Devon Thompson and back court players Neil Simon and Rodwell Pellew.
However, the Royals held their nerves with consistent basketball as the Jets stayed in the hunt and while the scores were deadlock at 47, it was again all tied up at 57 with 1:47 to go in the last quarter when Carter knocked down that shot beyond the arc.
However, the night belonged to Williams, who during the previous season had racked up a 76 point record score at the Under-23 level, and demonstrated why he is so feared among shooters nationwide.
Eventually, the former junior national player Williams, for his superb showing, to go with his 26 points had three steals and four rebounds was named the night’s Most Valuable Player, while another former junior national Marlon Pollydore was credited with the Best Defensive Player Award for his 11 points, six steals and six rebounds in another display of his all round skills.
It must be acknowledged that the Royals have picked up the pieces that made them a championship team a few years ago and, while they must have bumped into rough times, as would so many other Linden clubs due to players being away seeking jobs out of Linden, they seemed to be hardest hit.

But for the impact player that Williams has become, and the fledging skills of the ever present Pollydore in particular, along with the returning forwards Harold Adams and Orlando Glasgow in particular, the Royals have made other clubs take a second look at them.
In addition, despite what is thought of when they appeared in their ‘royal blue’ uniform, whatever perception one has with the ‘blues’ certainly did not affect their actual classy display of old.
Their play was inspirational throughout, and while they consistently attacked their bigger opponents, they seemed to have adopted what the revered former Detroit Pistons Coach Chuck Daley once said while coaching in the NBA “ a work ethic, defensively, is what can win games for you.”
Certainly the Royals prospered from that position and never gave the Jets a chance to recover in the end.
Once again, against this busy Royals side, the low post play of the Webster brothers was not that effective against a swarming defensive play of the Royals who boosted their efforts offensively when they moved in transition plays.
Wilson netted eight points with five rebounds as Adams finished with eight points also and six rebounds, while Wilson also had eight points and five rebounds, as Carter scored seven points all in the second half and Glasgow chipping in with six points eight rebounds of which four were from the offensive end of the floor.
The Jets were outdone even though they had a balanced scoring lineup which read Shane Webster getting a team high 12 points and five rebounds, guard Rodwell Pellew scoring 11 points, power forward Devon Thompson shot in 10 points to go with six rebounds as another forward Ruel McKinnon got 10 points also and 10 huge rebounds, Neil Simon seven points and five rebounds, as Allister Webster added four points with 14 big rebounds and six steals.
In the third place match, the Kashif and Shanghai Kings put away the challenge of the Half Mile Bulls club with a 64-46 win. They were ahead at the end of the first quarter 21-11, at half time 27-22 and when the fourth quarter began, they led 42-28 and completed victory by the 64-46 margin.
National captain Steve Neils (Jr.) was the top scorer for the Kings with 13 points and Orin Rise netted 11 points, while for Bulls Travis Dryden had a good game with 14 points as Michael Turner netted 12.

Outdoor Events Manager of Banks DIH Mortimer Stewart was on hand to hand over the various trophies and replicas to the winners and promised that Banks DIH was willing to promote sports in general, as they have partnered with the Linden Amateur Basketball Association for this tournament.

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