UG Head Coach Warren Wilson (at centre) speaking with his players
Several avid basketball fans were able to witness “the show of a lifetime” last Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, when the grand finale of the Titan Bowl XI and the Tertiary Knockout Competition got underway.
The University of Guyana have emerged the Tertiary Knockout champions
Winner of the Titan Bowl XI was the Government Technical Institute (GTI), while winner of the Tertiary Knockout was the University of Guyana.
The Government Technical Institute had a thrilling encounter with an Aroaima team in the Titan Bowl XI, but managed to defeat that team 76-68. The back-and-forth encounter had seen the scores tied at 65 after regulation time, but GTI managed to dominate in extra time.
Scoring for GTI, Martin Edwards produced 12 pts and 16 rebounds; Rescan Barnwell produced 14 pts; Daniel Howell produced 12 pts; while Kofi Hassanah and Jayden Jones each produced 11pts and 6 rebounds.
Scoring for Aroaima, Kelon Phillips produced 39 pts, 11 rebounds and 6 steals, and Kasim English produced 17 pts, 5 rebounds and 7 steals.
Kelon Phillips was adjudged tournament MVP.
In the Tertiary Knockout competition, the University of Guyana and New Amsterdam were neck-and-neck in terms of points. Both teams gave it their all, but UG managed to hold their nerve and take the win 61-60. Scoring for UG, Alroy Nurse produced 12pts, 11 rebounds; Jether Harris produced 10pts, 8 rebounds; and Jushawn Bayley produced 12pts, 4 rebounds.
The victorious Titan Bowl winners, Government Technical Institute (GTI)
New Amsterdam’s scorers were: Charles Williams, with 26pts, 6 rebounds; Richard Semple, with 13pts, 14 rebounds; and Joshua Thompson, with 13 pts, 4rebounds and 4 steals.
Charles Williams was adjudged tournament MVP.
Speaking on behalf of the University team, Head Coach Warren Wilson said, “As far as feelings go, I am satisfied to end the year on such a positive note. I am really thankful to the administration and the rest of Guyana for giving us another opportunity to represent the institution. I am happy that we were able to give them something to feel proud of, and I am extremely grateful to God for His guidance”.
Further, he noted that the closeness of the scores worried him, as he felt the players did not focus on what he had told them in the huddle. He explained that with three minutes remaining and the UG side being ahead, he had relayed that there was no need to push the pace and force scoring, but to play defensively and score on possession.
“I really didn’t panic, but it was alarming to see the run that New Amsterdam was on. Because of the culture that I am trying to build for the University, the guys are really (bound) into something that is different, and not the run of the mill team. They continue to build a great brotherhood, and Shaquan’s (Shaquan Gill’s) leadership has rallied them to understand that, first and foremost, you need to be willing to learn and adapt to our culture,” Wilson shared.
Wilson also explained that the rainy season had caused a lack of practice venues, hence the UG team didn’t get the chance to train before the competition. He added that while the players may have had two training sessions, even those had not been full sessions.
Wilson divulged that he has asked the University administration to continue supporting the Sports Department, especially the basketball programme, as it is becoming more robust and things are beginning to work. He noted that for there to be the full results he is anticipating, resources would have to be expended on the team.
Dellon Davidson, Sports Commission Member, presented trophies to the Tertiary Champion. While Rayad Boyce, YBG Co-Director, presented awards to the Titan Bowl Champions.
This tournament was sponsored by ExxonMobil Tertiary Knockout, Titan Bowl XI, Trophy Stall, and the NSC.
