A fourth quarter defensive master-class created the first major upset of the GABF Forbes Burnham Memorial Championship as Linden unit Victory Valley Royals downed Ravens 70-49 on Sunday to clinch their berth in the semi-final round.
With the score locked at 45-40 going into the final period at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, the Lindeners took control of the matchup, racing off to a 10-2 run in the first six minutes to go ahead 55-42.
It would be a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, netting a further 15 points while restricting the Georgetown unit to a further seven points through high pressure defensive sets, inducing several turnovers in the process.
Lawrence DaCosta led the fourth quarter assault with eight of his eventual 17 points while Orlan Glasgow scored seven of his 16 points and Harold Adams netted five of his 22 points. For the loser, Ryan Stephney top scored in the match with 13 points.
He was assisted by Ryan Gullen and Dominic Vicente who netted 10 and nine points respectively. With the win, Victory Valley Royals will now lock horns with Colts in the semi-final round.
Prior to the fixture’s conclusion, Ravens took the early lead as they outshot Royals in a low-scoring first quarter 11-9. Gullen top scored for Ravens with four points while Williams played a lone hand with seven points in the period for Royals.
The Georgetown unit would not be given the ‘royal treatment’ in the second period as they were outscored 19-16 to go into the third period trailing 28-27. Glasgow and Adams combined with six points each for the Lindeners while DaCosta supported with four points.
On the other side, Stephney netted six points while Gullen and Vicente scored five and three points respectively. The pivotal third period witnessed the Lindeners initiating their stranglehold on the fixture as they netted 17 points while restricting Ravens to a dismal 13 points.
On their offensive front, Adams battled his way to seven points while capable support was provided by the duo of DaCosta and Glasgow who scored five and three points apiece to set up the fixture’s eventual end.
For Ravens, Vicente and Stephney scored four and three points respectively. In the opening fixture, Pacesetters clinched their berth to the semi-final round, downing Retrieve Raiders 79-49. Royston Siland top scored in the win with 13 points while the next best scorer with 12 points was Jaleel Duke.
Chipping in with nine, eight and seven points was Naylon Loncke, Randy Richardson and Joslyn Crawford respectively. On the other side, Neil Marks netted 10 points while Deuel Garner, Omisi Williams, Yannick Primo and Keon Cameron scored nine, eight, six and six points respectively.
The opening quarter saw Pacesetters taking control of the fixture as they outscored the Lindeners 16-5. Raiders then battled back in the second stanza, netting 13 points while restricting Pacesetters to 11 to go into the half time interval behind with the score at 27-18.
However the Georgetown unit maintained their advantage in the third period as they outshot Raiders 25-24 to go into the final period ahead at 52-42. They would then seal the matchup in the fourth period, scoring an impressive 27 points to Raiders meagre seven points.
Due to the win, they will now face off with Linden unit Half Mile Bulls. Winner of the tourney will walk away with $100,000, winner’s medals and the championship trophy while the second place side will pocket the respective medals and accolade along with $60,000.
The third place finisher will also receive the respective trophy, medals and $40,000. Accolades will also be awarded for the Most Valuable Player, Best Uniformed Team and Most Disciplined Team.
