Young Starz sweep Jr Gunners to lift National Championship!
The Young Starz had won game one 36-23 on Friday that to 10 points from Elroy Bollers, along with 9 points and 9 rebounds from Eric Bobb. Those two would again prove effective in game 2.
First Bollers introduced some much needed energy and urgency into his teams play late in the 2nd quarter which ended with just one point separating them at 8-7. Then as the Gunners had to make some tactical changes in the 3rd quarter with players running into foul trouble Bollers, Bobb and J’Moi Levons took control of the match and the destiny of the Championship.
A ten point decisive run was started by Bollers, and then he started a quick counter attack, passing to Isaiah Thomas who in turn fed Levons. His first shot came back off the rim, but he remained calm to tip in the rebound.
Levons made it 16-7 then Bollers picked up a rebound to score after Thomas had stolen from Chelsea Hodge. With the lead now 11 points the Gunners had a couple of chances to pull it back before the ¼ ended, but Raheem Hodge missed a couple of Free Throws and Chelsea saw a great effort roll around the rim and pop out on the buzzer.
The 4th quarter lacked all the excitement of the 3rd, but that didn’t worry the Starz players, bench or coaches who were happy to see time expire and the Championship theirs with the final score of 23-12
“We weren’t worried early on, but just waiting, slowing the game down and letting it come to us” commented Coach Roy Garraway, who wouldn’t be drawn on which players had stood out over the two games “We don’t do the “MVP” thing, the kids are too young for that so we don’t want to fill their heads like that. What we do is all sit down and discuss how well everyone played.”
Coach Thomas added that he was proud of his team “After all the hard we put in over the season this is very gratifying. We had some shaky moments during the league, but they came good when it mattered.”
Isaiah Thomas was a happy young man having completed the sweep “we just paced it at the beginning and when they reached 8 points we just turned it up and took the game from them.”
Coach of the West Gunners, Dishaun “Mouse” Hodge noted that his team had played well until the 3rd quarter “the point guard and the centre got into foul trouble and I had to rest them" he said “unfortunately when they got back into the game the Starz had too big a lead and we couldn’t catch up. I’m very proud of my team though, we only lost one game all season up until the final.”
Andrew Fahie was equally as proud of the team from the West, “I was a little disappointed when we allowed them to get away in the 3rd quarter , but no excuses the better team won“ adding “I’m proud of our team. We lost one of our star players just before the finals, but every credit to Mr. Garraway and his team for being Champions."
Mr. Fahie assured though, that his team would continue to develop, as in his District, as well as the rest of the Territory Sports is seen as a positive method to unify young people.
T’Quan Bodkin led the Stars with 6 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, Levon finished with 5 points and 5 steals, Bobb recorded 4 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal whilst Bollers had 4 points.
For the Gunners, D’Andre Penn had 5 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks, Ajai Frett 5 points and 5 rebounds and Keon Dawson 2 points, 2 rebounds and 4 steals.
The deciding Game 3 between Ruff House and the Avengers takes place tonight at the Save the Seed Energy Centre at 7 P.M.
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