WITH a 50-65 points win over New Era 12, the Amelia’s Ward Jets have won two games in a row while the Victory Valley Royals got the better of Wismar Pistons, defeating them 62-55 when the New Era Ent./Cell Smart Super-8 tournament continued last Friday at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court in Linden. Rodwell Pellew scored a game-high 19 points for the Jets who became the first team to advance to the semi-finals which begin on Sunday March 24.
The New Era team trailed 21-6 to close out the first period, but rebounded to outscore the Jets 21-11 in the second quarter behind an explosive first half by sports journalist Rawle Toney and Oscar Adams.
Jets nonetheless ended the half leading 32-27.
The game went see-saw during the third stanza with Toney, who ended the night with 18 points, leading his team’s scoring, though his side (New Era 12) trailed 39-47, entering the final quarter.
Jets capitalised on a tired New Era 12 unit and with the team’s leading scorer (Toney) going cold in the fourth quarter, Pellew and forwards Javon Nelson and Devon (both ended with 14 points) carried their side (Jets) to a spot in the semi-finals.
Toney was supported by Adams, who ended with 11, along with Delbert Kitt and Alwyn Rodney who both scored eight points.
Meanwhile, Victory Valley Royals rebounded from their miserable performance against Kings, as they turned in a complete team effort to record their first victory, which came at the expense of Wismar Pistons.
The Pistons were completely outplayed on both ends of the floor even though they held a slim lead (18-16) at the end of the first.
But a collective effort by Royals saw them lead at the end of the half (31-24) and third quarter (49-36) and the rest as they say, was history.
Harold Adams led his team’s scoring with 13 points, point guard Julius Carter had 12 as Alwyn ‘Shaq’ Wilson and Marlon Pollydore each shot 11.
For Pistons, Dwight Cooper scored 12 and Quincy ‘Progzy’ Jones netted 11.