Sharma Solomon (left) presents the winners’ trophy to Wismar Pistons captain Niven Grenville.

SENIOR national club champions Wismar Pistons have added the Brusches’ Classic basketball championship to their collection after registering a comprehensive 70-54 win over defending champions Courts Pacesetters in the final on Saturday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.

The two finalists met following their semifinal wins the previous night when Pacesetters took care of Dyna’s Ravens and Pistons stopped the Glands Trucking Service Bulls.

For the win the Pistons got $100,000, a winners’ trophy and twelve replicas, Pacesetters gained $60,000 and a trophy and replicas and third place side Dyna’s Ravens received $40,000, a trophy and replicas.

In the tense final the Pistons were off to a 12-2 lead due to some excellent teamwork, which was led by forward Quincy Jones and guard Trevor Profitt, but Pacesetters played their way back into contention through fine offensive efforts from veteran player Naylon Loncke as the home team still led at the end of the first quarter 16-11. Jones at this stage of the game had eight points and Loncke seven.

The City’s champion side was not only able to find their rhythm but through a basket from Naylon Lonke they knotted the scores at 18. But the Pistons retaliated and with an 8-0 run they were able to take 26-18 advantage with 5:10 remaining.

But yet again the Pacesetters were able to respond in kind by slimming the point differential to 22-26 with 3:54 to go.

Later on Loncke’s baseline drive closed the margin to one, 26-27and centre Horace Hodges positioning himself well inside the paint, pushed his Georgetown team ahead, 28-27, with just under two minutes to go and the  visiting side held on to lead at half time (30-29).

The battle was tough and the referees Sherwin Henry and Ellis Noel were hard pressed to maintain control of the tough encounter as both sides went at each other. At the end of the third quarter Pacesetters still held sway leading 45-44 and the Pistons were seemingly unable to get their rhythm from the first quarter going again.

The Pistons were however not to be denied victory and they were able to grab the lead and take a 58-54 with 3:30 remaining in the game and captain Nevin Grenville along with Jones and Profitt were not bent on letting their advantage slip away. With just 2:02 left in the game Granville nailed a ‘dagger’ from long range to swell the Pistons cushion to 67-54 and the game was won when the final whistle sounded, 70-56, for Pistons over Pacesetters.

Jones who finished with a team high 22 points and had an outstanding game was named the Most Valuable Player. He also copped the Best Defensive Player award. Trevor Profitt supported his team efforts with 19, Mark Louis 16 and Grenville 10. Pacesetters’ Hugh Arthur was the player with the Most Assists in the final for which he won an award while Loncke in a courageous effort was the game’s top scorer with 24 points, Hodges however got 17 in a losing effort.

In the third place playoff game Ravens defeated GTS Bulls 79-52 after leading at half time 42-31. Ryan Gullen had 21 points, Kevin Lawrence 17, Jermaine Slater and Soriah Clarke 14 points each while Ruel McKinnon led the scoring for Bulls with 13. Mark Rose got 11 and Shane Lewis 10.

The night before Pacesetter won against Ravens 62-50 after leading at the break 33-28. Stephan Gillis was the top shoot with 19 points and Loncke and Arthur each got 10, while Marlon Rodrigues ended with 16 for Ravens.

Pistons got the better of Bulls in their semifinal game 66-44 after a 27-19 half time advantage. Profitt had 15 points, Grenville 13, Allister Bynoe 12 and Jones 11 with Shane Lewis getting the top score for Bulls with 12.

Trophies and replicas were presented to the top three teams in the tournament along with cash incentives.