Veteran player Lyle W. Duggins made a crucial late 3 pointer as the defending champions Bayside Blazers claimed a dramatic over time win, 97-93, over the Knights. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Dione M. Blyden emerged the hero when the Bayside Blazers were down by as many as 18 points and deep into the 4th quarter as he inspired an 11-3 surge that put the Blazers within 10. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Charles Nicols scored 34 points including seven 3 pointers for the Knights. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Some members of the Bayside Blazers team with their championship rings. From left: team scorer Gavin J. Foster, coach Rhennie O. Phipps, Sandy E. Nadal, Jolyon J. D. Wilson, Lennox S. Caines, Ken E. Silva, Louis E. Poblete and coach Jason A. Edwin. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Members of the Bayside Blazers team receive the 2014 Championship Trophy from wife of Hon Julian Fraser RA, Mrs Kharid Fraser. Photo: VINO

It was a full house at the opening games of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League on August 15, 2015. Photo: VINO

Founder of the League Hon Julian Fraser RA at the opening of the 3rd Annual Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League on August 15, 2015. Photo: VINO

The crowd getting excited as the Bayside Blazers clawed their way back into the game against Knights. Photo: VINO

The crowd getting excited as the Bayside Blazers clawed their way back into the game against Knights. Photo: VINO

Z6ne 6 Ballers made a winning start to their campaign, a 73-68 defeat of Spartans. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Part of the action between Z6ne Ballers and Spartans. Photo: VINO

Basketball fans came out in large numbers for the opening games of the 3rd Annual Julian Fraser Save the Seed League on August 15, 2015. Photo: VINO

All but dead and buried, the defending champions put on a late show to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and show the coaching staff, with latest addition Kennedy H. Bass looking on, that even when they are the hunted and in the cross hairs, they know how to skirmish and turn poacher.

Down by as many as 18 points and deep into the 4^th quarter at the Save the Seed Energy Centre court, Dione M. Blyden inspired an 11-3 surge that put the Blazers within 10. Blyden then splashed from long range after Franklyn L. Penn Junior saw a flying trademark finger roll effort circle the rim and drop into the basket and it was a 76-79 game with 82 seconds left.

Crucial steal

Penn made a crucial steal and gave the ball to Kyle L. ‘Hagga’ Abraham, who drew a foul as he scored and netted both free throws to put the Blazers ahead for the first time since the 2^nd quarter. But then the Blazers gave the ball away needlessly, allowing long ranging shooting specialist Charles Nicol to drive down the court and eventually score from the charity stripe to level the game at 80-80, with 23 seconds left.

The Blazers missed their last opportunity to score in regulation time, but were on fire to start over time.

Blyden went 2/2 from the free throw line, Nicol went in from down town, his seventh “3” of the game, to put the Knights back up 83-82.

Lyle W. Duggins sank a “3” under pressure to put the Blazers up 87-84, Blyden scored two more sandwiched between a pair of “3’s” from Cravern C. Andrew and the game slipped away from the Knights, although there was still time for some heart stopping moments for the Blazers as the Knights went on a 7 point run, missed a couple of free throws and saw a “3” point effort go narrowly wide of the mark from Vaughn Bassue.

Blyden finished with 37 points, Penn Jnr. 21, Abraham 13 and Andrew 10, whilst for the Knights, Nicol scored 34, Reggie Penn and Eustace ‘Boss’ Freeman 14 each and Bassue 10.

The Knights, although losing Javon K. Serrant for much of the game through injury, have only themselves to blame for not taking sweet revenge against the Blazers for their defeat in the finals of the 2014 Championship as they failed to make the necessary adjustments at crucial stages in the game, especially when they were ahead.

Z6ne 6 Ballers out-bounce Spartans

The opening game of the night, following the presentation of trophies and the Digicel sponsored rings to the 2014 Champions Bayside Blazers, saw Z6ne 6 Ballers defeating the Spartans, 73-68.

Draft Pick Nathaniel Malone led the way for Z6ne 6 with 21 points. He scored a”3” on the buzzer to end the 1^st quarter and give his team an 8-point lead. Halfway through the second quarter the Spartans leveled the game and by the half time break the difference was just six in favour of Z6ne 6 Ballers.

By the end of the third quarter the sides were deadlocked at 49-49.

Hakeem Penn put the Spartans up 3, Zaniel Joseph made it all square again and then Malone snatched the lead back for his team for good. Deryl Alexander netted from way down town to make it a six point game and Joseph further increased it to 8. Penn almost brought the Spartans Back to parity with a couple of free throws and an athletic spinning finger roll tip in, but the Z6ne 6 Ballers held on.

Apart from Malone’s 21 points, Joseph scored 20, Dishawn Douglas 13 and Maduro 10.

The Spartans were led by Lenroy Grant’s 19 points and got 15 from Penn and 10 from Tamal Turnbull.

Play continues this evening, Sunday August 16, 2015 with two games. 

West Gunners will face Warrias from 6:30 PM and Pure Playaz meet New Heights from 8:00 PM.