The East overcame the previously unbeaten VG Mystics, 53-49, on Saturday December 20, 2014, in the Championship Game of the 40 Plus Basketball League at the Multi Purpose Sports Complex. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Dominating at both ends East went on an 8-0 run in the first quarter before VG Mystics finally got on the board with 6.30 left on the clock. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

VG Mystics then used all their skill and tactical planning to eat away at East before taking the lead for the first time at 11-10 with less than two minutes to go in the first quarter. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

East edged back in front inside the last minute, but VG Mystics ended the first quarter 14-12 up. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Action from the game. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

The start of the game was delayed nearly 30 minutes as the Officials waited on the arrival of their whistles, but once the action got underway it was East who took control of the game.

Dominating at both ends East went on an 8-0 run in the first quarter before VG Mystics finally got on the board with 6.30 left on the clock. VG then used all their skill and tactical planning to eat away at East before taking the lead for the first time at 11-10 with less than two minutes to go in the first quarter.

East edged back in front inside the last minute, but VG Mystics ended the first quarter 14-12 up.

The lead changed hands during the second period with first East gaining a slender advantage before VG Mystics regained ascendancy at 17-14 with 3.20 remaining in the first half and then went on to close out the quarter with the biggest lead of the game at 25-18.

VG Mystics were able to maintain their advantage during the 3rd quarter and in fact extended the lead to 39-28. However in the 4th period, East came bouncing back and leveled the game at 40-40 with 8 minutes still to go.

VG Mystics crept into a one point advantage with less than 5 minutes left, but East grabbed a one point advantage inside the last two minutes and held on when it mattered most to run out victorious.

For East Kerry “Breeze" Thomas 20 Pts 6 rebounds 1 assist 1 steal, Terry Turnbull 18 Pts 3 rebounds 2 assist 2 steals.

For Mystics Hilroy “Bongo” Warner 10 Pts 2 rebounds 3 assist 2 steals, William “Ice Willie" Penn 8 Pts Trevor “West" Stevens 13 rebounds Kevin "Cracker" Stevens 10 rebounds .

The Sports for Life Organization thanked all the teams for participating and is looking forward for bigger and better things to come next year as they are working on getting an inter island 40 plus tournament.