One of the most astonishing stories in amateur basketball unfolded last Saturday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall when a five-man Disciples team comfortably eliminated a star-studded, complete roster of Ravens division-three players in the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association/Next Level Entertainment Super-Eight, knockout tournament.
The Disciples’ leading scorer in the competition, Travis Stewart, continued his prolific scoring in the first half of the game piloting his team to a 42-25 half-time lead.
However, Stewart suffered an injury to his foot after being involved in a collision late in the first half.
He, however, toughened it up and continued playing since the only person on the Disciples’ bench was coach Chris Bowman, who is also the president of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA).
The Disciples continued to show their resilience in the second half, but pretty soon fatigue stepped in and Ravens started to progressively reduce the 17-point half-time lead.
Things were to get much worse for the Disciples as with just about six minutes remaining in the game their forward Denny Damien was fouled out of the game and the Disciples were forced to play with just four players.
But, a late arriving Kiev Chesney checked into the game with just over four minutes remaining and though the Disciples seemed capable of winning with their four players, the fifth addition provided energy and lift off the bench not to mention a quick four points to add to his team’s game-winning total.
After a second straight remarkable 25-point performance, Stewart, speaking to Stabroek Sport said:
“Although I had injured my foot early in the second half, I felt no pain, neither had I been tired. I knew that scoring comes naturally to me so I was just doing what I could to get the win.”
Stewart gained much support offensively from Marlon Chesney who registered 22 points and Shelroy Thomas who managed 16 points.
Jermaine Slater lead the scoring for the Ravens with 19 points followed by Biniam Norton and Keno George with 14 and 12 points respectively.
On Friday, Courts Pacesetters defeated Pepsi Sonics 74-56 to gain the other spot in the division three final as coach Robert Cadogan displayed the tremendous depth of his side.
Although the versatile Jermaine Reid of Pepsi Sonics may have stolen the show with his 20-point scoring explosion and ankle-breaking cross-overs, one of which sent Brian Francis of Pacesetters tumbling onto the hardwood floor in the first half, Pacesetters got the final say as junior national player Travis Burnett punished Sonics in transition in the second half.
Burnett ended with 25 points while Brian Francis picked himself up and contributed 14 points.
Ravens secured the first spot on the division-one final by defeating Bounty Colts 64-58 Saturday evening. Colts dominated in the post early as they maximized Oneicer Fraser and newly acquired Darren Thomas who ended with 14 points.
However, Ravens toughened up on the interior defence and outran the Colts in the second half, a combination that produced fast and noticeable benefits.
Ryan Gullen top-scored for Ravens with 13 points followed by Damien Liverpool with 12 points and Darcelle Harris with nine points.
