A small crowd braved the rain and disappointment of the late pull out of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), to be entertained by yet another dominant display by Warner University as they overcame Montreat, 88-62, at the Tropical Shoot Out. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

The second game of the night went ahead as planned, with the crowd now around the 200 mark and saw Warren Hall notch a team high 23 points as Warner ran out 88-62 winners over Montreat. Eddie Delegal added 21 points as Warner recovered from an early deficit to romp to a 14 point half time lead. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Warner won the event back in 2012 and looked very much at home on the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex court, zipping the ball around and executing patterns of play to continually thwart Montreat’s attempts to get back into the game. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

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

Part of the action from the game. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

A Warner player airborne. He also carries the number 23 like a certain high flying former Chicago Bulls player. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Northwood University stepped into the breach left by the UVI no show and staged an intra squad game to at least keep themselves and the slowly growing crowd entertained, but even some dazzling dribbling and dynamic dunks could alter the obvious dissatisfaction at the turn of events.

Various rumours circulated as to why the UVI had failed to participate, ranging from the new Coach worried about entering a competition which he could not expect to win, to a possible loss of Ranking points and even some demands on appearance money, but at least the Organisers have stepped up and arranged for the Legs to play an exhibition game tonight Saturday November 29, 2014.

The second game of the night went ahead as planned, with the crowd now around the 200 mark and saw Warren Hall notch a team high 23 points as Warner ran out 88-62 winners over Montreat. Eddie Delegal added 21 points as Warner recovered from an early deficit to romp to a 14 point half time lead.

Delegal also picked up 11 rebounds and added a couple of blocks and steals to his nights work.

For Montreat, Joshua Foster scored 13 points and Melvin Irvin, Angel Lopez, Cedric Cash and Myles Marshall all scored 7.

Warner won the event back in 2012 and looked very much at home on the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex court, zipping the ball around and executing patterns of play to continually thwart Montreat’s attempts to get back into the game.

“The Hospitality is wonderful,” commented Warner’s Coach, Sean Hanrahan. “The reason we come back is the People and the moments we have created with them. The Tournament is great! We eat dinner with people we know, ride in the same cars as people we recognise and feel like family here, now.”

As to his team’s performance against Montreat, Hanrahan wasn’t completely satisfied. “I wasn’t sure how we would handle pressure, but I’m happy and will take away some positives. What I would like us to do better is, when we get up ten points, not forget the little things that got us up ten points, like block out and keep people out of the paint,” he said.

Tonight Montreat face Northwood at 8pm and then Warner will take on the Legs and despite Hanrahan knowing they are a “really good” team, he noted that he will be starting with a different line up and give some players who don’t get much court time a chance. He also noted that his focus would be on his team’s trip to Virgin Gorda, where they planned to spend most of the day relaxing!