Pre-tournament favourites lived up to expectations when the action in this year’s Inter-Ward basketball tournament continued on Sunday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust blew out BV/Melanie 85-56 and Kitty/Campbell-ville edged out Agricola/   Bagotsown 77-71.

Playing in the opening game of the night’s double header, former champions of the Inter-Ward competition Wortmanville, led by an all-round performance by captain Nylan Loncke, showed signs they might grab the trophy once again.

Playing with overseas wingman Mark Trotts and national power forward Royston Siland, the Wortmanville side barely broke a sweat in their easy win over the minnows of the tournament, BV/Melanie.

Loncke had 16 points, while also sneaking nine steals. Siland, who played a more defensive game, had ten points, snaring 11 rebounds and eight steals. Trotts had a well played 14 points and seven rebounds.

Point guard Kayode Murray had a game high 27 points for the losers while Dexter Walcott chipped in 12 points and ten rebounds.

Kitty/ Campbellville with their star cast were made to work hard against the Agricola/Bagotsown side, who made up with enthusiasm what they lacked in experience.

Both sides made full use of the tournament rules of one guest player per side. The winners went for the six foot seven inches Linden/national centre Jason Alonzo, while the Agricola side had the services of another Lindener in national youth player and high school star Akeem Kanhai.

The players did not fail in boosting their respective players’ chances of claiming the coveted title and the $500,000 first prize as they both turned in superb performances.

The game was relatively close in the early stages as the first quarter ended with the two sides deadlocked on 16 points.

But things took a turn in the favour of the eventual victors as they held on to an eight points lead at the end of the first period (35-27).

With Alonzo in control of the defence and Kevin Lawrence, Kester Gomes and Devon Bacchus all taking charge of the offence, Kanhai and Trevor Smith found it hard to keep up with the pace.

By the time the penultimate quarter came to a close, things had swung in favour of the Kitty team who led 66-45.

But somehow Bagotsown were able to find a new gear and rallied back in the fourth quarter. However, it was too little too late as they lost by six points (77-71).

Bacchus and Lawrence both shot 14 points, while Gomez had 12. But Jason Alonzo who was considered the saviour of the night with his defensive talent grabbed 17 rebounds along with seven blocks.

Smith led all scorers in a losing cause with 17 points while the 17-year-old Kanhai, who had a well-rounded performance, had 12 points.
The tournament will continue this evening with Trevor McLeod and Alwyn Bellamy leading a powerful Charles-town/Albouystown side against the towering Vivian Alder and his Supply/ Soesdyke team in game one. The second game will see Plaisance coming up against East/West Ruimveldt.