AAKEEM ‘The Dream ‘ Kanhai piloted the Amelia’s Ward Jets as they soared past Alleyene’s Retrieve Raiders 53-47 to win the Linden Amateur Basketball Association’s  (LABA) Under -19 basketball title on Saturday night in front of a packed Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court crowd. The multifaceted national youth captain ‘The Dream’ Kanhai, has ever so often when his team falters to win a championship, and there are not many they have lost, seen as the cop out guy, notably in their depressing and only defeat to Raiders in the preliminary round of the tournament.

However, Kanhai is one who never shirks from such responsibilities and once again as the Jets at times seemed jet lagged against a wary opponent he was there to propel them home.

Revered former Indiana University basketball coach Bob Knight once wrote “I believe in simplicity and execution of fundamental skills. Defense is one of the most important of these skills.”

For Kanhai who is the most gifted player in Guyana, if anything, he personifies this thought by Knight and it became clear it was his desire to deliver.

The unassuming Kanhai displays his skills with a soft touch and after his coach Calvin Slowe deliberately withheld him from the starting lineup, it proved a strategy to ensure he does not run into early foul trouble, when he is needed most at the end of the game.

The Jets other core players led by Parrish Cadogan held their own without their captain on court and while the scores were tied at 6 they played exceedingly well to put their team up 14-8, on a 8-2 run, to end the first quarter.

It seemed therefore that the Jets were in perfect position to take the championship without much resistance, but this was not to be.

Midway into the second quarter Kanhai reminded his opponents of his presence with a slam dunk. Another player who excited the crowd was Cadogan, a national high jump record holder, who lighted up the scoreboard with a three-point shot for the Jets to extend their advantage 30-14.

But the Raiders were able to mount an offensive and reduced the deficit as Yannick Primo drove down  the lane to end the first quarter on a roll but the Jets still maintained cruise control at  30-20.

By then Raiders’ Norman Chapman (Jr) was also seeking to get the Raiders back in contention and after landing a three-point shot, the Raiders trailed 26-36 with 4:40 to go . Kanhai responded with a ‘jack-knife’ lay up only to see Raiders forward Jeffrey  knock down one from behind the arc. Then Larose followed it up with a controlled penetration to cut the lead but Jets led 38-33 at the end of the third quarter.

During the conclusion of the third quarter Kanhai inexplicably missed three straight free throws after being fouled in three point territory.

This slump continued with two more freebies to start the fourth quarter and Chapman’s drive brought his team within striking distance 35-38.

Baskets by Larose, then Chapman saw the Raiders take the initiative 41-40 and it looked like a tournament final indeed.

However, Emmanuel Archibald soon regained the lead for Jets and while Kanhai sank one of two line shots, an ominous sign, it preserved the Jets lead at 43-41.

Larose brought his team within a basket at 43-45, and 45-47 and Devol Wilson at 47-49 befire Kanhai, who was working hard at the offensive and defensive ends of the floor sank two free throws and before he ‘Tomahawked’ a dunk at the buzzer to ensure the Jets won the championship.

For his efforts throughout the tournament Kanhai was the obvious choice of Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Cadogan had 18 points and Kanhai 13 with several rebounds while for the Raiders Larose and had a game high 21 points and Primo 10.

In the supporting game for third place Victory Valley Royals won 59-31 after a 29-13 lead at half time.

Marlon Pollydore with 21 points, Lynden Warden 12 and Theodore Tappin 10 were the top shoots for the Royals while Remmington Wade had 14 for the losers.