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THANKS to a game-high 28 points by forward Michael Turner, the Bulls defeated the Amelia’s Ward Jets 57-49, while the Kashif and Shanghai Kings defeated Victory Valley Royals 56–42, when the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) Malta Supreme Magnificent Seven Christmas championship continued last Saturday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court. The loss for the Jets was their second in as many games while for the Bulls, the win saw them end the preliminary round of the tournament with ten points, chalking up four wins and two losses to currently sit atop of the team standing.
Turner pushed the Bulls to a 27–23 point lead at halftime, scoring at one stage 20 straight points. But the Jets bounced back in the third quarter thanks to some excellent play by national player Shane Webster, and led 45–43 at the end of the period.
However Turner and his teammate Travin Dryden who ended the game on 12 points, made rings around their counterparts at both ends of the floor as the Jets will now have to regroup if they want to advance to the next round.
Webster finished the game with 15 points and received support from Lawrence DaCosta (12) and Ruel McKinnon who finished on nine points.
Meanwhile, in the night’s opening game of the double-deader, Kings led 10–7 at the first quarter and 23–14 at halftime over the Royals in a low-scoring game.
Though they were down for most part of the game, the Royals fought their way back into the game but the Kings used their experience to remain unbeaten in the tournament so far.
Omally Sampson led the Kings with 12 points as centre Jason Alonzo contributed eight and Marvin Hartman seven. Forward Chris Williams made a return to the Royals with a top score of 13 points and Marlon Pollydore contributed 12 in the losing effort.
The tournament continues tomorrow (Boxing Night) with two more matches. Retrieve Raiders play Wismar Pistons in the opener and the second matchup brings together Amelia’s Ward Jets and Kashif and Shanghai Kings.
Turner pushed the Bulls to a 27–23 point lead at halftime, scoring at one stage 20 straight points. But the Jets bounced back in the third quarter thanks to some excellent play by national player Shane Webster, and led 45–43 at the end of the period.
However Turner and his teammate Travin Dryden who ended the game on 12 points, made rings around their counterparts at both ends of the floor as the Jets will now have to regroup if they want to advance to the next round.
Webster finished the game with 15 points and received support from Lawrence DaCosta (12) and Ruel McKinnon who finished on nine points.
Meanwhile, in the night’s opening game of the double-deader, Kings led 10–7 at the first quarter and 23–14 at halftime over the Royals in a low-scoring game.
Though they were down for most part of the game, the Royals fought their way back into the game but the Kings used their experience to remain unbeaten in the tournament so far.
Omally Sampson led the Kings with 12 points as centre Jason Alonzo contributed eight and Marvin Hartman seven. Forward Chris Williams made a return to the Royals with a top score of 13 points and Marlon Pollydore contributed 12 in the losing effort.
The tournament continues tomorrow (Boxing Night) with two more matches. Retrieve Raiders play Wismar Pistons in the opener and the second matchup brings together Amelia’s Ward Jets and Kashif and Shanghai Kings.
