Last weekend’s feature game at the VG Summer Jam Basketball Tournament saw David “Bolo” Lettsome lead the East to a victory over Up 2 Da Time. Photo: Paul Hewlett

From the whistle, Lettsome scored the first two baskets and continued all the way to the final whistle. Photo: Paul Hewlett

Action on Sunday September 22, 2013 will see Final judgment vs. Up 2 Da time and Real Talent vs. Raw Skills. Photo: Paul Hewlett

The much hyped up last game on Friday September 13, 2013 surpassed expectation as Run It Red edged past Raw Skills 79-78 after no fewer than 10 tied scores, four of which were in overtime. Photo: Paul Hewlett

Some 22 teams are taking part in the 2013 VG Summer Jam. Photo: VINO/File

East Rockers have been dependant on Lettsome to lead the charge for them for over 10 years now and Saturday September 14, 2013 was no exception. From the whistle, Lettsome scored the first two baskets and continued all the way to the final whistle.

The East Rockers of 2013 is a much different team to 2012 and to show the depth of the team they only used 7 players on Saturday’s game against a team who was undefeated in the regular season in 2012.

Of those seven, five got into double figures led by Lettsome’s 21 points and 4 rebounds. Travis Malone added 13 points with 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists whilst Jamal Rabsatt scored 13 points, 1 rebound, 2 steals, and 3 assists. Dwayne Penn finished with 13 points, 12 rebounds to complete an amazing double and Randy Stevens made 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals contribution.

For Up 2 Da Time, who also had five players in double figures and three completing a double, Kevin Samuel top scored with 23 points, 10 rebounds 2 steals, 5 assists and 3 blocks. Lee Evans Jacobs added 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 4 assists and Rohan Victor 11 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist; Cameron Young scored 10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist, 2 block shots and Gary Hillhouse 11 points, 12 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block.

Saturday’s other game saw Ervin “Red” Telemaque’s Come 2 Defend defeating No Worries 85-25.

Telemaque nearly had a record three players scoring a double double with Stepahano Paul missing it by 1 point in hitting 15 points with 9 rebounds and 6 steals. N. Clarke scored 21 points 11 rebounds, 9 steals, 1 block, Elliott O’Neal 21 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block.

For No Worries Demoi Brandy had 10 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal and M. Creque 3 points, 13 rebounds, 2 blocks.

Week 4 of the Summer Jam Week got underway on Friday September 13, 2013 with a B Division Youth game featuring On Fire vs. Go Hard.

Go Hard, who won their first game by forfeiture, had a much tougher challenge this time around defeating Youth on Fire by the narrowest of margins 76-75. Dante Vanterpool lead the way with 16 points and 6 rebounds, 1 assist, while utility man Nibbs scored 15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 6 assists and Rodney chipped in with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block. For the losing Youth on Fire Orande Pitt scored 14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, Liam Forbes 8 points, 16 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, and Kimani Bolon 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist, 1 block shot.

In Friday’s second game, Terror Squad totally annihilated Chaotic 109-52 with Coach Eton O’Neal saying the game was basically a chance for him to see different players in different positions as they prepare for tougher challenges ahead.

Jehmarey Benjamin had an impressive all round performance with 28 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 8 assists, Aldric Thomas played a great supportive role with 25 points, 1 rebound, 7 steals, 3 assists, Ashem Frett 19 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist and Christopher Santana 10 points and 8 rebounds.

The much hyped up last game on Friday surpassed expectation as Run It Red edged past Raw Skills 79-78 after no fewer than 10 tied scores, four of which were in overtime.

Raw Skills with their input of new faces, many of them moving up from champion team Letz Get It, had no intention of giving any quarter to the Tortola based outfit and from the tip off the game was fast and furious.

Run It red held the lead for much of the game, albeit mostly only by the odd point and Raw Skillz repeatedly came back at their opponents tying the game again and again.

In the previous game played by Run IT Red, Sean Woods had come out trumps but collecting an early foul and with this team not as strong as Without A Doubt, coach Sean Morris opted to leave his star player on the bench for much of the first half. By the time Woods came off the bench to play in the third quarter he was rather cold and in his enthusiasm to get into an already heated game Woods hit his head on the back board of the basketball rim and had to be rushed off to the Virgin Gorda clinic for stitches on his forehead. By his return in the middle of the 4th quarter the momentum was beginning to swing towards Raw Skills and coach Sean Morris was forced to rush the injured Woods back into the game.

With seconds to go in the 4th quarter, Bodean Samuel of Raw Skills scored the basket that would take the game into overtime. Run It Red had two more possessions in the final seconds of the game and both times the responsibility lay on the shoulders of Sean Woods. First he drove to the basket and drew a foul and then he had a layup just before the buzzer and missed both.

Overtime came down to the final seconds of the game where the speed man himself, Nathaniel Malone, sometimes referred to as Crazy Nat, drove to the net through traffic and scored the winning basket.

Malone top scored for Run It red with 22 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steals, 3 assist, Jr Vanterpool had a big double double with 19 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, Dalvern Blyden also double doubled with 13 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block and the injured Sean Woods had a quiet night with 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 assists.

For Raw Skillz, Bodean Samuel scored 16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist, Daryl George 14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, Asim Beazer 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, Enrico Harrigan the utility man of the team had an impressive double double with 13 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 assist.

Only one game was played on Sunday with On a Mission defeating one of the ladies teams Young Talent 51-44. J. Leonard 14 [points, 1 rebound, 5 steals, 2 assists, T. Leonard 9 points, 8 rebounds, 7 steals, 6 assists. For Young Talent Ebony Fahie scored 23 points, 7 rebounds, 6 steals, and Brianna Brewley 11 points, 2 rebounds, 3 steals.

This weekend’s game will see Young Ballers vs No Worries, Go Hard vs. Chaotic and Run It red vs. Final Judgment on Friday, whilst on Saturday Young Talent play Come 2 defend, Nothing But Net take on Youth On Fire and O.T.C come up against Without A Doubt.

Action concludes on Sunday with Final judgment vs. Up 2 Da time and Real Talent vs. Raw Skills.