LABA U-23 C/ships …
KASHIF and Shanghai Kings moved atop Group A, courtesy of a forfeited win by Amelia’s Ward Jets who had their win – a 59-40 victory – upturned by the authorities for playing an unregistered player. This handed the Jets another loss without any points, when the Linden Amateur Basketball Association’s Under-23 championship continued on Thursday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court. In the other game of the night South Ward New Ballers handed Alleyene’s Retrieve Raiders their second loss after winning 39-35.

In the first game on Thursday night Jets, after a 22-17 advantage at halftime, scored a 59-40 win behind Akeem Kanhai’s top score of 12 points and Deon Moore and Shane Webster each with 10 points. The Kings’ best shoots were Curtis Gravesande with a game-high 17 and Orin Rose (Jr) with nine.

Jets and New Ballers were scheduled to play at the Amelia’s Ward hard court previously but neither team showed up, according to an official of LABA, hence they were not awarded any points. For each win a team gets three points and a defeat one point while teams failing to show or playing unregistered players will get no points.

In the other game Ballers, who trailed the Raiders at halftime 8-14, recovered to win 39-35 as Leonard Caleb led their cause with 17 points while Devon Gittens had 11 for the losers.

In previous results Kings scored a 56-50 win against Raiders after a 25-17 lead at lemon time with Gravesande getting 26 points, Keon Sears 18 and Rose 11. Raiders’ best players were Devon Wilson with 22 points and Devon Gittens with 13.

Bulls scored a 61-35 win over Silver Nets after holding the edge 22-19 at halftime before Mark Rose with a game-high 30 points and Michael Turner (Jr) 24 piloted them to the win. Delroy Ross was the top marksman for Nets with 12 points.

In other results Royals thrashed Flames 95-52 after taking control at the break by 20 points leading 46-26. Chris Williams was in ripping form with a tournament-high 31. Harold Adams contributed 28 and Alwyn Rodney 23 for the winners. Delroy Brutus had the best score for Flames with 15 and Delon Azores added 12 in a losing effort.

Following the win Thursday night Kings now lead their Group A with six points from two wins followed by Ballers who are on three points from a win and a loss while next are Raiders on two points from two losses. Jets are in the cellar without any point following two losses, one by walkover and another by forfeiture.

In group B the joint leaders are Victory Valley Royals and Glands Trucking Service Bulls on three points apiece followed by Block 22 Flames and Silver Nets each on one point from one loss.

Wismar Pistons are yet to play a game in the competition.

This tournament, which has trophies at stake, will continue on Monday when Royals play Pistons and Kings take on Bulls.