Colts and Pepsi Sonics secured contrasting wins when the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) U-23 Championship continued on Wednesday evening at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.
The Colts outfit clipped Eagles by a 63-49 score line. Ronoko Vaughn led the victory with 15 points, while Jaden Thom was the next best scorer with 13 points. Adding eight points was Domitri Rankin. For the losers, Altin Joseph and Daniel Bailey scored 12 points each, while Tariq Robertson added six.
Colts seized the early advantage in the contest, as they led 15-9 at the conclusion of the first period. This lead was marginally increased in the second stanza, as they netted 12 points while restricting the Eagles to a mere four points to enter the halftime interval in control at 27–13.
Although Eagles improved in the pivotal third period, they were still outscored 14-17 to trail by a 44-27 score entering the final quarter. The lead proved to be insurmountable for the Eagles, as they marginally outscored Colts 22-19 in the fourth quarter, in the process sealing their defeat.
On the other hand, Sonics mauled Leonora 98-52. The quartet of Shameer Hope, Mervin Mars, Carlyle Morris, and Kurvin Mars led the rout with 21, 20, 20, and 20 points, respectively. For the loser, Shaquan Hope scored the most with 16 points, while Emmanuel Mars was the next best scorer with 14 points. Adding four points each were Ricardo Marquez and Lorenzo George.
The tone of the contest was established in the first period as the Sonics raced to a commanding 27-10 advantage. This lead was increased in the second quarter, as Sonics scored 23 points while restricting Leonora to 12 points to enter the halftime interval ahead at 50-22.
The Sonics unit extended their advantage as they outscored Leonora 24-14 at the conclusion of the third quarter to lead 74-36 heading into the final period. The eventual score was then sealed as the Sonics outhustled Leonora 24-16.
