Christianburg/Blueberry Hill and Amelia’s Ward Back Scheme were the first two teams to record wins in the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport nationwide inter-block basketball tournament which bounced off on Monday in Linden at the Mackenzie Sport Club hard court.
Block22/Wisroc fell prey to Christianburg/Blueberry Hill 43-76 while Amelia’s Back Scheme narrowly defeated their Front counterparts 53-50.
The clash between the two Amelia’s Ward-based teams provided a perfect start to the tournament as predicted based on the abundance of talent which lies in the community.
Laced with some of the best players in Linden the two teams came out rallying hard at each other but it was the Back Scheme that always held a slight advantage.
With their offence flowing primarily through junior national player Akeem Kanhai, the Back Scheme led 27-22 at half time.
Point guard Kevin Joseph who scored a game high 16 points played a true captain’s game as he led the Front Scheme’s fight but his supporting cast was out-hustled on the ball and boards.
Other than Joseph only forward Lawrence ‘Bolo’ De Costa reached double figures with 11 points.
For the victors, Kanhai netted 15 points while Oscar Adams and former junior national player Javon Nelson each scored 12 points.
The opening game was a one-sided affair as Christianburg/Blueberry Hill proved too strong for the weak Block 22/Wisroc men.
A blow was reflected from the half time score of 47-21 in favour of the eventual victors, with Wendell Warrick who finished the game with 19 points taking charge of the game from jump ball.
Three other players reached double figures for the Christianburg side, with Stryon Obermuller (14) and Shane Lewis and Mark Louis scoring 12 points a piece.
Only Gavin Clarke showed some resistance to the onslaught with a well played 13 points for the Block22/Wisroc team.
The tournament will continue tomorrow with senior national players Jason Alonzo and Marvin Hartman leading a star-studded Central Mackenzie against the Constab/Watooka/Richmond Hill combined team.
And in the second game of the night, Anson Durant would be piloting the Silvercity/Victory Valley side when the Dwayne ‘Brown Sugar’ Roberts and Terrence ‘Platam’ James lead Silvertown/One and Half Mile team.
