Former Blazers' Louie A. Poblete attempts a shot for Momentum against Bayside Blazers in the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League game on Friday September 9, 2016. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Momentum (purple) handed the Bayside Blazers their first loss of the 2016 Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Franklyn L. Penn of Bayside Blazers soars to the basket. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

The powerful Dextroy D. Manswell (with ball) could not prevent a Bayside Blazers defeat. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Kyle L. Abraham of Bayside Blazers seeks to score under pressure. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Momentum relied on a simple strong defence to thwart the Blazers natural attacking instincts and then hit them hard and often, in quick transitions to be up by ten points at the end of the first quarter.

For most of the second quarter, each time the Blazers tried to reduce the deficit, Momentum matched them and as half time approached play became very sloppy from both teams.

However, a late surge after a rare miss from Isaac, saw Tavon J. Phillip notch an “And One” to make it a five-point game and then Dextroy D. Manswell rolled in a lay up to make it just a three-point gap at the break.

The third quarter began with frenetic and sometime frantic action at both ends of the court.

First Franklyn L. Penn sank a three pointer, former Blazers’ Lyle W. Duggins countered with a jump shot for two, Penn hit another long range effort, Shamar George grabbed some of the action following some lazy defence by the Blazers, McKenzie L.K. Baltimore notched a two, former Blazers player Louie A. Poblete fired home from “down town”, George added another two and a foul by Kyle L. Abrahams on Juanito Diaz as he attempted a three point shot all ended with Momentum up 53-45 with still 4 minutes of the period to go.

Blazers’ surge

The Blazers surged again with JoVaughn N. Cameron scoring from his own steal and adding another two, before it became a two-point game after another score from Devorn H. Furlonge.

Not to be outdone, George tipped in a rebound from a George shot, who then scored himself on another put back and went two for two from the Free Throw line after drawing a foul by Penn and then as the clock showed 30 seconds remaining, Ahdan Doward notched a free throw, Furlonge missed twice and George scored to make it 62-53.

Facing a nine-point hole, the Blazers came out firing in the last quarter.

Manswell was the catalyst as he scored twice and grabbed an extra point from the charity stripe to make it a three-point game and then Dion M. Blyden made it all square with a three point shot. George went two for two after a foul to restore Momentum’s lead, but it was short lived as Baltimore netted another three.

The Blazers first lead of the game lasted under two minutes though as George, again, scored. Phillip levelled the scores, with 5:38 left, the same player then gave the Blazers a two-point lead before Garvin Stevens tied it up at 69-69. George put Momentum back up two with 4:14 remaining and a three from Poblete gave Momentum some breathing space at 74-69.

Jevon K. Serrant joined the fray and immediately gave the Blazers renewed hope with a three point shot from wide right and Phillip tied the game up with two free throws.

George notched an “And One”, Penn missed an attempted three, Duggins drove inside, got fouled and went two for two, Phillip got the Blazers back to within three points and then missed an opportunity from the free throw line, which Manswell scored from the rebound to give the Blazers the lead at 80-79.

Momentum get the edge

Into the last sixty seconds and Stevens put Momentum into a one-point lead at 81-80, George scored another free throw, the Blazers turned over possession and Duggins scored two more from the free throw line.

Another visit to the free throw line gave Momentum just enough of a cushion at 85-80 to weather a Manswell dunk, but it was Momentum who brought the crowd to their feet, staying unbeaten this season and handing the Blazers a thought provoking defeat.

Apart from Isaac who scored 30 points, Momentum got match winning returns from Poblete with 13 points and George with 12 points. Both George and Stevens garnered 11 rebounds.

Penn and Phillip both scored 19 for the Blazers, whilst Manswell finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

The 2016 Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League is sponsored by Bishop John I. Cline, Honourable Julian Fraser, RA, Nanny Cay Marina & Hotel, Botanic Service Station, National Bank of the Virgin Islands, De Castro Marking Products Ltd, Sol BVI, Delta Petroleum, Digicel (BVI) Limited, Tropical Car Rental, First Caribbean International Bank, Walkers, Hannah Fresh Water, International Motors, James Todman Construction, Skelton Group of Companies, Nagico Insurances, T Shirt Genius and Virgin Islands News Online.

See weekend schedule:

Saturday September 10, 2016

5:00 PM Thunders vs Swaggas (Junior Division)

6:30 PM Starz  vs Pure Playaz

8:00 PM Avengers vs Red Zone

9:30 PM Splash Brothers vs Winning Mentality

Sunday September 11, 2016

5:00 PM Jr. Stars vs Ghut Boys (Junior Division)

6:30 PM Community One vs Starz

8:00 PM Warrias vs West Gunners