Latest update May 30th, 2026 12:40 AM
Apr 23, 2016 Sports
-Barbadian referees, Henry will officiate in Final
After a damp squib a month ago, The National Basketball Final returns to Cliff Anderson Sports Hall tonight
where a new champion will emerge from the contest that brings together two teams that are competing for their first national title in their second Finals appearance.
Linden’s Retrieve Raiders will play Georgetown’s Colts United in the National Basketball Final: The Road to Mecca III in a replay of the controversial March 19 final, which was left abandoned after Raiders walked off of the court with 9:18 left on the game clock in the fourth quarter, down 51-54 against Colts.
Pacesetters had managed to squeeze pass Ravens 78-76 for the third placed prize. The top award will hopefully be decided between the top and second placed club in Guyana. Barbadian FIBA accredited referees along with Guyana’s FIBA, Sherwin Henry will officiate in the game.
Raiders had walked off the court to protest what they called “poor and biased officiating” after a player was hit with two technical fouls. To eliminate the accusation, Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) went for foreign referees for the game.
The Championships game is a match-up between Colts United’s efficient backcourt and Raiders formidable frontcourt. Raiders’ strength is its height advantage with centre, Jason Alonzo, and forwards Marvin Hartman, Omally Sampson, Dwayne Roberts and Neil Marks, combining for an average height of about 6’4″ in the paint.
Colts’ backcourt will be challenged to get pass Raiders towers. Point guard, Dave Causway leads an efficient backcourt that includes Shelroy Thomas, Kurt English, and sensational new addition from Kwakwani, swingman, 16-year-old, Stanton Rose.
Colts will leave Onicko Fraser and national centre, Shane Webster to battle Raiders’ ‘bigs’ while the Raiders will hope point guard, Keon Cameron withstand the pressure of Colts’ guards. It was a balanced contest on March 19 and tonight should be no different.
Before the Final, The National Anthem will be performed as halftime shows are also scheduled. The cheerleaders will dominate a final hoorah to bring the curtains down on the Championships.
The Mackeson Girls and Stereo Sonics Sound will add to the entertainment.
Kirk ‘Chow Pow’ Jardine is the host. The winning team will pocket $500,000 while second place will go home with $250 000. Pacesetters won $150,000 and Ravens $100 000. An MVP will also be named following the Finals tonight.
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