Kwakwani failed to maintain their lead in the crucial fourth quarter and opened themselves to the pressing game of Amelia’s Ward Jets, who clinched the contest 70-68 to be crowned champions of Linden Amateur Basketball Association/Hamid Foundation Under 23 tournament Saturday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.
Playing infront of an jubilant crowd following which included Mayor of Linden Carwyn Holland and regional Executive Officer of Region Ten Gavin Clarke the Jets prevailed against the odds as they Kwakwani counterparts fumble in the closing moments where the game’s Most Valuable Player Akini Wilson banked on a reverse layup to score with 15.2 seconds to the close.
The Jets would then press home to disallow the visiting team any chance of receiving from the incisive drive by Wilson.
Kwakwani started positively after closing the first quarter with a 10 point lead with the scorecard reading 20-10.
While the Jets were able to cover some grounds in the second quarter, Kwakwani remained with the stranglehold as they took the break at half time leading 37-31.
The Jets at one stage battled to come within two points in the third quarter, but then the Kwakwani team continued to execute at will and the jets seemed lost at this stage as they trailed by eight points 46-54.
But things began to change in the fourth quarter and the inside game of Wilson and Vibert Benjamin began to take a toll as their captain Shannon Cadogan at one stage foundered on a chance to send his team ahead from the free throw line as he could only score one of two attempts to tie the game at 68.
However, inexplicably the Kwakwani team made two crucial turnovers at this stage with 41.6 seconds left and with 15.2 secs remaining the Jets would see the Kwakwani boys crack under the pressure. With the game on the line and Jets seeking to go ahead , the ball was played down low on the left side and Wilson would fake and switch to the baseline for a reverse lay-in to score and give his team what would eventually be the70-68 lead.
Jets pose with officials after the winJets’ Akini Wilson gets his trophy and hug from LABA PRO Tracey Liverpool for being the final’s MVP
The Jets then kept their cool against the Kwakwani side and eventually would regain possession to run out the clock and win in dramatic fashion .
Their Most Valuable Player of the final Wilson finished with 23 points to lead their charge as Victor Benjamin was solid with 17 points and Keison Butters scored some impressive drives to keep them in the chase with 12 points while George Yearwood added 10 for the winners.
Kwakwani had their best players being their Most Valuable Player of the Tournament in Troy David getting a top score of 18 points with captain Leonard Primo netting 13 and Domar Gladstone ended with 10.
Mayor of Linden Carwyn Holland along with Region 10 Regional Executive Officer Gavin Clarke were introduced to the teams before the final. Holland assisted in handing over the championship trophy which was donated by Gordon Moseley while LABA’s Public Relations Officer Tracey Liverpool presented the LABA Most Valuable of the Final’s trophy and to Jets’ Wilson and the World access Most Valuable Player of the tournament trophy to Kwakwani’s Troy David.
Member of Parliament Jermaine Figuiera donated the second place trophy while Gordon Moseley of Go Moseley Productions donated the winner’s trophy and World Access one of the Most Valuable Player trophies.
Save the Children Foundation was also responsible for donating one of the trophies,
Abdulla Hamid on behalf of his Foundation thanked the sponsors for assisting and helping the LABA in promoting this championship.
