Suriname take game one of Goodwill basketball series

 

GUYANA’S senior national basketball team on Friday evening lost the first of their three-game Goodwill Series against Suriname 63-59 when the two sides met in Paramaribo.
After taking the gruelling overland journey to challenge their Dutch counterparts as part of their preparation for this year’s Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championship in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), the Guyanese had a two-hour rest before bouncing into action. The journey obviously took its toll on coach Darcel Harris and his troops; nonetheless, the visitors ensured that the game went down to the last minute before surrendering to the Surinamese.
Harris went with Akeem Kanhai (captain), Ryan Gullen, Jermaine Slater, Rudy James, Dave Causeway, Shelroy Thomas, Harold Adams, Travis Burnett, Dominic Vincente, Jason Squires and Royston Siland as his 12-man squad against the team they are ironically grouped with in the CBC tournament.
Having a distinct size advantage, the home side played much of their game in the front court but what the Guyanese lacked in size, they certainly made up by having a superior advantage in the back court.
Point guards Causeway, Burnett, Vincente and Thomas were a thorn in the feet of the Surinamese, punching the lane at will, but often times missing the easy lay-ups.
At the end the first period, Guyana trailed Suriname by seven points (18-11) and were outscored 19-16 as Suriname ended the half up 37-27.
Individually, there wasn’t much to speak of, but collectively, Guyana rallied back, scoring 14 points; one less than Suriname in the period to finish the penultimate quarter still trailing 41-52.
The fatigue had begun to step in but a comeback, sparked by Adams (8 points) who came off the bench to score three consecutive baskets, inclusive of a three-point shot, brought Guyana within single digits for the first time since the second period.
Fast break conversions from outlets due to great rebounding by James, Gullen and Slater saw Guyana close the gap to three points; but then they missed free throws, which returned to haunt them.
As they trailed Suriname by two points with just over a minute remaining, Kanhai was fouled attempting a three-point shot.
With the handful of Guyanese supporters cheering loudly and waving the Golden Arrowhead, the Guyanese captain went to the ‘charity line’ but failed to convert his three shots.
The score was unchanged and Burnett, James and Gullen were all guilty of missing crucial free throws that could have either put the game out of Suriname’s reach or send it into overtime.
At the other end, Sergio Rodrigues buried a three-pointer, deep from the back court that knocked the wind out the Guyanese and the Surinamese did not look back thereafter.
After the game, Harris said that he’s proud of the team, taking the circumstances into consideration and is looking forward to the rest of the series.
Thomas finished with a team-high 13 points while Slater hauled in 10 rebounds to go along with his eight points while Kanhai and Causeway both ended the night with seven points.
Guyana played their second game last evening and will wrap up their tour tonight.

 

By Rawle Toney, in Suriname

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