A Nikoloi Smith 44-point effort Monday night propelled Plaisance Guardians to third position in the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) ‘League of Champions’ tourney, crushing Pepsi Sonics 95-62.
The versatile sharpshooter stole the show at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall,Homestretch Avenue as he nailed an impressive 11 three-pointers.
Trenton Woolford provided capable assistance with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds while Ron Campbell also recorded a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds.
For Sonics, Trevor Smith battled to 18 points while Aubrey Austin was the next best scorer with 15 points. Chipping in with 10 and eight points respectively were Junior Lovell and Jermaine Reid.
From start to finish Guardians were in control of the fixture with the first period ending 17-9. Sonics were able to marginally reduce the deficit in the second period, outscoring the East Coast of Demerara unit 19-18 to head into half time behind at 28-35.
The aforesaid score was the closest Sonics got to overturning the deficit as Guardians recorded 25 points in the third period while restricting their foes to 16 points to lead 60-44 at the end of the third stanza. Guardians then closed out the contest in the final period, tallying a mammoth 35 points to Sonics 18 points.
Meanwhile, University of Guyana (UG) Trojans clipped Eagles 82-64 to clinch third position in the U23 section. Sherland Gillis recorded a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds in the lopsided win.
He was supported by Jabari Joseph who fashioned 14 points and seven rebounds, Kadeem Peterkin, who crafted 14 points and Jonathan Brown and Allister Lewis who netted 13 points each.
For Eagles, Travis Belgrave recorded an impressive double-double of 31 points, 13 rebounds and seven steals. He was supported by Darroll Williams who scored 13 points, six steals and Leon Ross who scored eight points.
