In the 2018 Rainforest Water/Malta Supreme/Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) League, play in Thursday night’s competition at the Burnham Hard Court on Carmichael Street produced the shock of a lifetime, as the Kobras defeated the Plaisance Guardians and the Pepsi Sonics walked away with a win over the Eagles.
In the first match-up of the night, the Kobras took on the in-form Plaisance Guardians. With the Guardians riding a wave of terrific form, it was a foregone conclusion that they would easily emerge winners. However, the script was written otherwise, and the Kobras prevailed to leave the shell-shocked Guardians staring incredulously at a score of 63-60 in favour of the Kobras.
Even with the likes of the power duo Jared Sears and Terrence Daniels playing for the Guardians, the defensive play of the Kobras was able to withstand the Guardians. Such was the resilience of the Kobras that of the four quarters in the game, they led in two, tied in one, and lost the final quarter; but it wasn’t enough to
The Guardians in their last encounter
save the Guardians from a three-point defeat.
Scoring for the Kobras, Akeem Morrison led with an impressive 20 points, supported by Akil Hughes and Justin Algu with 14 and 11 points respectively. For the Guardians, it was Jared Sears and Terrence Daniels who attempted the resurgence, but failed in their endeavour as time just wasn’t on their side.
The Guardians will now return to review their game strategies, and hopefully make an epic comeback. As for the Kobras, the victory will definitely boost team confidence as they continue their season. In the second match of the night, the Pepsi Sonics faced the Eagles in the Second Division league. With the likes of Sherland Gillis and Shamar Huntley, the Eagles were expected to prey on the Sonics; but just like what obtained in the first match, the Sonics surprised the Eagles with a 79-75 defeat.
Huntley and Gillis dominated play, ending the night on 30 and 19 points respectively; but no other member of their team was able to score in double figures, whereas the combined efforts of Darren Vanderstoop (18), Captain Lemuel Grant (17), Jamal Bookery (13) and Leron Vyphuis (11) produced the wind in the sails of the Sonics team.
The action will continue today with the Guardians taking on the Vikings, and the UG Trojans clashing with the unstoppable Eagles in the second and first divisions respectively. (Timothy Jaikarran)
