IN the inaugural Mega Mart / SDF JamRockerz basketbal Classics held in Jamaica on Friday night, it was the Jamaican national side that emerged victorious in their matchup against the youthful Guyana side 83-77.
The matchup proved to be a tough one for the Jamaican national side, who managed to hold on in the final minute of the game for a 6 point win.Had it not been for crucial turnovers and missed free throws in the game’s waning moments, the Guyanese would have held on to win the game.

In the first half, both teams got off to quick starts, getting their offense going. For Guyana it was young guns Terron Welch and Nikkolio Smith getting off to good starts with accurate shots to the basket. On the Jamaican side it was John Brandt who got off to a hot start to help the Jamaican’s lead 41-38 at the end of the half.
In the second-half sixteen-year old Stanton Rose would come alive to help the Guyanese cause. Yet again Brandt showed up for Jamaica to help the home side finish the third quarter ,leading 61-54.

In the final quarter it was a trading of baskets with the lead never falling below 2 points. For Jamaica, Brandt was supported by Kwame Lawrence who would finish on 14.
For Guyana it was the main trio of Rose, Welch and Smith who helped narrow the lead to 2 points with a little over a minute to go.As fate would have it, crucial Guyanese turnovers and missed free throws left the door open for Jamaica to close out the win.
In Jamaica’s winning effort Brandt turned in 22 points. For Guyana both Rose and Welch finished on 17 with Nikkoloi Smith finishing with 13 points and 9 rebounds.

According to assistant coach Junior Hercules, “The youngsters in the team showed a lot of maturity and a lot of fight, had it not been for the missed free throws and key turnovers we would have won the game.”
Hercules also commended the side on the effort put forward in the opening game with specific reference to the young team staying in the match and ultimately making the game a close one.
In the other game of the night the Liberty-ville Vipers of the USA opened their account with a 80-74 win over the Jamaican under 21 team. Guyana’s second game was scheduled for last night; up to press time no score was available.