THERE were opening wins for Kings, Half Mile Bulls and Amelia’s Ward Jets on Sunday as the Linden Amateur Basketball Association’s Under-23 basketball championship bounced off at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.

Kings recorded the first win when they faced Bankers Trust Falcons and after holding a 12-7 first quarter lead were ahead at halftime by ten points 22-12. By the end of the third quarter they maintained control, leading 34-19 before winning 44-41.
The top scorer for the winning Kings, were Quincy Easton and Akeel Primo with 18 and 10 points respectively while for Falcons Mark Persaud had 11 points.
Game two saw Bulls down Royals 62-45 after holding 21-18, 33-26 and 46-36, before eventually winning 62-45. Terron Welch had a game-high 21 points, Jamal Bethune 16 and Dennis Niles 10. Keifer Tappin was the lone double-figure scorer for the losers with 16.
In the third game Amelia’s Ward Jets overcame Retrieve Raiders 47-43 as they led 13-5 at the end of the first quarter and at halftime 20-17, before a 30-27 third quarter score before winning 47-43. Amaniki Archibald was the game’s only player with a double-digit score of 18 points.
The competition continues tonight with two more matches. At 18:30hrs Bankers Trust Falcons face Retrieve Raiders and at 20:3ohrs Victory Valley Royals take on Block 22 Flames.
The semifinals are set for Friday and the final will take place on Saturday.