Colts, Plaisance Guardians reach GABA final

Colts and Plaisance Guardians will contest the final of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) eight-team Trifecta knockout, third division tourney after defeating TGH Pacesetters and Pepsi Sonics respectively in the semi-final round on Sunday.

Hosted at the Burnham Basketball Court, Colts defeated a new look TGH Pacesetters 74-46. Delon LaRose led the way with 24 points in the win.

He was assisted by Errol Dryden and Lennox Thornhill with 11 points each and Ralph Brown and Amoniki John who netted eight points respectively.

On the losing side, Ruel Ritch netted a game high 30 points while the next best scorer was Quincy DeSantos who netted eight points.

The opening quarter would see Colts racing off to a 20-9 lead. LaRose led all scorers with 10 points courtesy of two layups and as many three pointers. Colts would extend their lead in the second period as they outshot Pacesetters 16-7 to go into the half leading 36-16.

Dryden picked up the scoring duty in the second interval, netting seven points through mid-range jumpers and layups to the basket. The third period would be all about Ritch as the diminutive guard powered his team to within 15 at the end of the quarter (47-32).

Ritch netted 14 of his side’s 16 points in the period, outscoring the entire Colts third quarter offence by constantly attacking the rim and finishing. However, this would be the closest to a contest the matchup would become as Colts outscored Pacesetters 27-14 in the final period.

LaRose picked up where he left off in the first period by netting 10 points through fast break attempts while a further 27 points was shared by five other scorers to cap off the dominant fourth quarter display by the Cots.

Ritch once again was the primary scorer for TGH as he picked up a further seven points in the period.

In the second semi-final, Plaisance defeated Pepsi Sonics 58-51.Kendo Bowen was the top scorer for the winners with 10 points whilst Kelvin Yorrick, Colwyn Nurse and Terrence Daniels netted nine, nine and seven points respectively.

Tige Clarke was the principal scorer for the Mandela Avenue side as he netted 13 points. Supporting with eight, seven and six points respectively were Leron Vyphius, Kerwin Jackson and Drexel Alexander.

In the earlier quarterfinal matchup, TGH Pacesetters defeated Melanie Patriots 48-45. Kirk Moses led the Pacesetters with 14 points while support was provided by Ritch and Patrick Reid who netted 11 points each.

Eli Innis led the way for the East Coast of Demerara side with 16 points. He was supported by Shaquille Adonis and Leslie Williams who contributed 10 and seven points correspondingly.

In the exhibition round, Colts defeated Republic Bank Nets 68-62 in their first division encounter. Shelroy Thomas led the winners with 22 points.

He was assisted by Nikkoloi Smith, Reyon Cummings and Dane Kendall who netted 10, eight and seven points respectively.

Mortimer Williams led all scorers for the losers with 26 points while Michael Richards and Desmond Grey netted 15 and 10 points respectively.