Latest update April 7th, 2025 6:08 AM
Defending champs, Ravens, Royals set up Super Eight showdown
– National Basketball C/ships continue next weekend
By Edison Jefford
Defending National Basketball Champs, Dyna’s Ravens balled to a lopsided
Ravens’ forward, Akeem Kanhai (airborne, right) attempts a massive one-handed dunk Thursday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall but is opposed at the rim.
victory after a slow start Thursday night against Berbice’s Smithfield Rockers, setting in motion their title defence at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in the 2015 National Championships.
Ravens beat Rockers 81-57 in the first game of the night. Marlon Rodrigues and Jermaine Slater top scored in the win with 13 points each while Akeem Kanhai had 11 points, nine rebounds and four steals and Tyrone Hamid nine points.
Jamal Felix scored a game high 21 points, eight rebounds and four steals in the loss with Michael Bowen netting 10 points. Neil Wills scored nine points and eight rebounds while Kevon Manuel grabbed a whopping 18 rebounds and added four points.
Ravens tested different combinations on the court in the first half before releasing its backcourt, Dominic Vincente, Stephon Henry and Rodwell Fortune in a running-game that completely blew Rockers out of the venue after a competitive first half of the game.
The encounter set the tone for an intriguing night where Linden’s Victory Valley Royals set up a Super Eight showdown with Ravens, after defeating Georgetown’s Republic Bank Nets 73-61 in a game that was decided in the final three minutes.
Guard, Rodwell Fortune (with ball) goes around two defenders in the paint for a lay-up Thursday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Forwards Harold Adams and Ron Beckles scored 24 points each, while Chris Williams and Lawrence DaCosta had eight and seven points respectively for Royals, who dug deep to pull off a big win against Nets.
Michael Richards was the leading scorer for Nets with 18 points, complimented by four assists while Pelham Doris registered nine points, four rebounds and six steals, while Hodayah Stewart scored nine points.
Leading 46-43 heading into the final period, Adams went on a rampage, scoring 15 points in the last 10 minutes to inspire the win despite the efforts of Hodayah Stewart and Michael Richards, which kept Nets in the game.
With 4:23 remaining on the clock, Adams again took on the offensive leadership of his team for a 9-3 run that propelled Royals to a 65-58 lead. Beckles and Chris Williams placed the game out of reach with four points in 20 seconds to set up the quarterfinal showdown with Ravens.
The Super Eight Playoffs will commence The National Basketball Championship Weekend next Friday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The Final Four will follow the next day with Finals set for Sunday March 1 in a pulsating weekend of basketball.
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