Stephan, Huntley lead the Ravens to win National Finals opener

Game One of the One Guyana Basketball League National Finals on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at the National Gymnasium was the biggest upset of the tournament as Ryan Stephan and Shamaar Huntley gave the Ravens the lead heading into Game Two breaking Stabroek Eagles’ unbeaten streak.
The first quarter of the game was perceived to be the Eagles’ as they dominated with passion and enthusiasm. National player and Captain Travis Belgrave led from the front as they dominated to lead the first quarter with the scoreline reading 18-11.
In the second quarter, the Ravens minimised the Eagles’ lead to five points as they showcased their style of play as fast and feisty. The Ravens scored 18 points while the Eagles scored 16.

The Ravens continued to showcase their skills in the third quarter as they limited the Eagles in their attempt to convert baskets with their defensive style. The Ravens would go on to score 25 points to push their score to 54 points while the Eagles were limited to 51 points.
The fourth quarter was enough for the two teams to be separated as the Eagles put the game into overtime with seconds on the clock, equalising the game by scoring 14 points and the Ravens scored 11 points with the game tied at 65 points each.

In the first minutes of overtime, both teams looked to play defensively, but it was the Ravens who penetrated the Eagles’ defence on multiple occasions to secure the win and break Eagles’ unbeaten streak, as they scored 13 points ramping their total score to 78. The Eagles scored 11 points for a total score of 76, missing out on two points at the end of the game.
In an exclusive with Guyana Times Sport Captain of Ravens, Shamaar Huntley shared that it was a great feeling to secure a victory and he was ready to secure the national finals in Game Two.
“I want to feel excited, but I know that it’s not over, and is a good feeling to win Game One, but it’s not over. It is not over in my opinion, so there is no excited emotion and I’m just here ready for Game Two to close the game out and win it all,” Huntley said.
Game Two of the One Guyana Basketball League National Finals will run down at the same venue, as the Stabroek Eagles will look to dominate and add the trophy to their case. (Omar Mckenzie)