..- Linden Wards still undefeated

NORTH Ruimveldt chalked up their third consecutive win in the GABA National Super Ward Basketball Championships and in the process, became the first team to advance to the semi-finals.The Georgetown Inter-Ward Champions pounded New Amsterdam 78-59 last Saturday in the opening game of a triple header at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. In the other two matches, Central Mackenzie and Christianburg also came up big and both won their second game of the competition.

Central Mackenzie officially booted East Bank out of the tournament when they won 87-62, while Christianburg defeated Kitty/Campbelville 63-51.

Once again New Amsterdam looked set to at least put up a stiff challenge after keeping North Ruimveldt within sight by trailing 38-31.

But Ryan Stephaney who poured in a game high 26 points stepped on the gas with the help of team captain Darcel Harris (15).

New Amsterdam only managed to score 28 points in the second half as compared to 40, scored by North Ruimveldt.

Seriah Clarke 14, Ryan Gullen 12 and Yusuf Edghil 10 were the other primary scorers for North Ruimveldt who will play their final game of the preliminary stage of the tournament against Christianburg on April 24.

For the Berbicians, only Royston Crandon with 17 and Theo Bess 10, were able to touch double digits.

Meanwhile, Nkossi Gurrick continues to be a beast in the paint and seems unstoppable as he once again was unstoppable against Kitty, leading his side to a comfortable win.

Christianburg won all but the second quarter, trailing an energy filled Kitty team 25-32 but thanks to the Lindener’s top guns they made sure that their path is on $500,000 trail.

Gurrick ‘the beast’ had a second dominant double-double, hauling in 10 rebounds to decorate his well played 15 points.

Point guard Nevin Grenville also scored 15 and Trevor Profit and Quincy Jones netted 13 and 10 points respectively.

For Kitty Hodyah Stewart had 14, Devon Bacchus 11 and Shane Webster eight.

In the night’s featured game, Steve Neils Jr shot in a game high 26 points to keep Central Mackenzie in the money.

A depleted East Bank team gave a good account of themselves against a good Central line-up.

Mark Richards and Desmond Chin wowed the crowd as they kept Central tight, trailing 36-39 but the two ran out of petrol as Neils and his troops open fire on their inferior defence.

Former Junior National player Orin Rose jr scored 16 and Lawrence De Costa 12 for Central Mackenzie.

National player Marvin Hartman still hasn’t turned up in the competition and his below par performance continues as he only managed nine points.