–    Chronic, Moses Pacesetters and Jefford Pacesetters advance from Georgetown
BASKETBALL fans in Linden and Georgetown were all entertained once again by some high intensity games when the Mackeson Smooth Moves 3-on-3 tournament continued at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court and the Albouystown Basketball Court on Wednesday evening. In Linden, former Junior National standout Orin Rose literally shot the lights out at the MSC, leading his team ‘Unknowns’, while Senior national player Shane Webster stomped his dominance in the tournament, pounding Jets to the second round.
At the Albouystown Court, Moses Pacestters, Jefford Pacesetters and Chronic were the three teams to advance to the next phase of the competition.
Once again, hundreds flocked the MSC Hard Court, since the tournament after the opening night, turned out to be the talk of the town, known for their highly enthusiastic way for sports.
Five teams once again took to the court (Four Warriors, Kwakwani 1&2, Jets and Unknowns) but it was unknowns who stole the show, thanks to the sharp shooting of Rose.
Rose who was one of Guyana’s top junior players, showed why he was responsible for winning numerous National School Championships when he was ostensibly seeing the basket as big as a football field goal.
They (Unknowns) played undefeated on the night, and became the first team to score 21 points, doing so with one minute and from 30 seconds still left in the game against Kwakwani 1, where Rose stroked in six shots beyond the arc, accounting for 12 of the 21 points scored.
Meanwhile, Webster, who represented Guyana at the recent CBC Championships in the Bahamas, played virtually unstoppable. He had support from nifty point Guard Kevin ‘2-Feet’ Joseph, power forward Lawrence De Coasta and Laurell Caleb.
Meanwhile, Jefford Pacestters, led by former Junior National Elton Jefford, Jermaine Hamilton and Derwin George helped upstage a tough Nets line-up with the likes of Pelum Doris, Triston Tulloch, Mortimer Williams and GDF Captain Drumson McCully.
Ryan Melville exemplified his alias ‘Show Time’, when he put on a dribbling display with team ‘Chronic’, much to the delight of the huge crowd gathered at the Albouystown basketball court. His team mates, Earl O’ Neil, Joel Loncke and Damien Europe, responded well; some making some ‘awe’ plays of their own.
Moses Pacesetters (Kurt Moses, Rayon Cummings, Junior Crawford and Travis Williams) also showed championship like tendencies, playing well and was always a crowd favourite.
Bounty Colts ‘C’, failed to emulate their ‘A’ side who have already advanced to the next round and would now be part of the audience, having being booted.
The tournament continues tonight at the MSC with group C from Linden doing battle while on Sunday, Bartica and Berbice will see some action.