Roberts is Raiders’ hope tonight

Mar 16, 2014 Sports

– Ravens favoured to beat Colts

By Edison Jefford
Retrieve Raiders’ hope against the fledging Amelia’s Ward Jets tonight in the Linden showdown for a place in the Grand Finale of the ‘Road to Mecca’: National Basketball Club Championships rests squarely on the shoulders of forward, Dwayne Roberts.

Dwayne Roberts

Admittedly, fellow national forward, Neil Marks, who has not been at his best for Raiders, could also be key to their success if he turns up tonight, but the consistency and hunger of Roberts have already proven his critics wrong after he evaded a six-year ban.
Roberts’ 21 points and 20 rebounds was the sole reason Raiders won against Linden top seeded, Kings, which possess much more talent, last weekend. If Roberts keeps those numbers up, then he will be a tsunami around the rim for Jets in this important game.
Jets have enough fuel with centre Shane Webster and the Webster clan consistently proving their worth for the team. The Websters will mount pressure on Roberts that could be the turning point in the game – a fact that places the onus on Raiders’ Marks to perform.
If not Marks, Louis James must also step up to combat the Websters; Shane especially has put up similar numbers as Roberts. All-round, Jets will enter tonight’s semi-final as the better team with the right combinations, including Kevin Joseph and Rodwell Pellew, to win.
However, Raiders have already proven to be giant killers and if that hunger and passion continues, Jets will be in for some turbulence, as opposed to the smooth sailing with which it has ascended to this stage of the competition. The winner of the game will play either Ravens or Colts after the two clash in the featured game of the double-header tonight.
In that game, Georgetown’s Colts will want to overcome the one team it has struggled to beat on a consistent basis, Ravens. Colts are ranked higher compliments of a better placing in the League last year, but since then, Ravens have been unbeaten in

Ryan Ramdass

Guyana.
Ravens indomitable rebounding has been on par compliments of transitioning young players like Dominic Vincente, who has been accurate with his jump shot, and Ryan Stephney who made it rain from beyond the arc for 25 points against Pacesetters last weekend.
Ravens guards, Vincente, Stephney and Rodwell Fortune is a speedy combination for them in the backcourt. They will provide the right counter for Colts’ fast-paced guards, Dave Causway and Shelroy Thomas. The featured game is expected to be a high-intensity, speedy encounter among two top teams eager to be labelled ‘the top club in Guyana’.
Jermaine Slater and Ryan Gullen are quality forwards for Ravens while veteran, Dane Kendall and newcomer Steve McSeen will line-up for Colts. For their bench depth and recent exceptional form, Ravens are favoured to win against Colts tonight.