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Will Plaisance Guardians slay another Goliath tomorrow night?
– National Basketball Championships bounce into Super 8
By Edison Jefford
Guyana’s thirteenth-ranked, Plaisance Guardians have already slain one giant, Amelia’s Ward Jets in
Nikkoloi Smith
their opening game of the National Basketball Championships: The Road to Mecca II, and will face yet another formidable opponent to confirm a giant-slayer status tomorrow night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Guardians, boasting a much improved team for the 2015 Season, beat last year’s semi-finalist, Jets in their first game last week to advance to the Super Eight round of the national tournament; they will play the fifth-ranked, Trinity Grid Holdings (TGH) Pacesetters in a quarterfinal game tomorrow night.
From Jets to Pacesetters, which looked impressive, beating Wismar Pistons 72-36 in their round-of-16 game, it is clear that Plaisance Guardians will have to dig deep to earn this nationa
l title; if they beat Pacesetters, the next opponent Saturday night is the winner of the mega Ravens versus Victory Valley Royals clash also on tomorrow night.
It’s a long shot for Guardians, but let’s look at the keys for victory against Pacesetters, which have not been at their ultimate best since the departure of Coach, Robert Cadogan, who migrated. First, the neutralisation of Pacesetters’ guard, Travis Burnett is very important if Guardians want to give themselves any hope in this contest.
Burnett is a prolific scorer and defensive guard. He is very difficult to defend once he gets to the paint and must be properly defended. Guardians have made a refreshing addition to the team with Nikkoloi Smith coming back from a loan to Colts.
Randy Richardson
Most likely Burnett will be Smith’s assignment, which makes for a beautiful battle. Smith is very fit and so is Burnett; the battle among the two top guards for both sides should be something that can be anticipated in the game. Plaisance Guardians also have the prolific scoring ability of point guard, Ron Campbell to support Smith.
In the guard position, Pacesetters have shooting guards, Stephon Gillis and Shawn Gillis to oppose Smith and Campbell as well. Guardians have also added forward, Mark Richards to their team to add some depth in the paint and support for Trenton Woolford.
Pacesetters will throw their forwards, Randy Richardson, Jermaine Hamilton and Royston Siland at Richards and Woolford. On paper, Plaisance are short-handed in this contest, but good all-round quality basketball can help them slay another Goliath.
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