Ice Connection and Set It Off wrestle for the ball in a pile in the dying seconds of the game on Saturday, October 25, 2025. Photo: Facebook

With 3 seconds remaining in the game, Ice Connection did well to force a Set It Off turnover and preserved their slim lead for victory. Photo: Facebook

More championship games in the 2025 VG Summer Jam Basketball League are slated for this weekend. Photo: Facebook

The two teams were engaged in a bruising encounter in Game One of the Best of 5 Championships at A. Jeffrey Caines Arena on Saturday, October 25, 2025; however, it was Ice Connection that came out with the win, albeit by a single point, 94-93.

Ice Connection led 54-45 at halftime; however, Set It Off found their rhythm in the third quarter to gain the lead, which included a 77-70 advantage.

The defending champions, thanks to their star players from the US Virgin Islands (USVI), especially Zion Jones and Khalid S. Gerard, found themselves trailing by just one point, 92-93, with 27 seconds on a faulty game clock. Jones then found the basket inside the paint for a 94-93 lead.

Opportunities squandered

With 7 seconds remaining in the game, Douron R. Phillip of Set It Off was sent to the free-throw line. Phillip found nothing but rim on his two attempts!

Set If Off had one final opportunity to win the game with 3 seconds remaining, but their inbound attempt resulted in a turnover.

Zion Jones ended with a game-high 30 points for Ice Connection, while his teammate Khalid S. Gerard, who struggled in the playoffs, dropped in 29 points in a perfect return to form performance.

Kadeem Jones (11 points) and Amadius Der-Weer (10 points & 15 rebounds) were the other main contributors for Ice Connection.

Set It Off’s talisman, Ray D. Victor, top scored for Set It Off with 18 points, although he was benched by coach Kennedy H. Bass for much of the 3^rd quarter.

Jelani Lennard (11 rebounds) and Shammar George both had 17 points, while Shakeem Blackmore netted 15.

The two teams will do battle all over again on Friday, October 31, 2025, and on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the same venue.

In Dah Zone & Development reach C/ships of Jr League

Meanwhile, Game 1 in the Best of 5 Championships between In Dah Zone and Development in the Junior League will get underway on Friday from 7:00 PM, and Game 2 will be played on Saturday from 8:00 PM.

Development eliminated All Deh Smoke, 65-60, in the playoffs on Saturday last, with Tiondre Martin top scoring with 18 points while Zion Phillip had 14.

Ajani Stevens had a game-high 20 points, and Michael Sue hit 19 points in a losing effort for All Deh Smoke.

Out the Mud ‘out in front’ in C Division C/ships

Meanwhile, Game 2 in the Best of 3 Championships between On A Mission and Out the Mud, in the C Division, will be played at 6:00 PM on Saturday.

Out the Mud took Game 1, 59-25, on Saturday last, with Kemori and Kayden Daway leading the scoring with 11 points each.