– Wins for Royals; Jets
IN what appears to be simply rustiness by players who were out of competitive basketball play for two years, Victory Valley Royals and Amelia’s Ward Jets recorded victories to bounce off the Linden Amateur Basketball Association’s (LABA) Senior League.
The championship took place last Saturday at the Amelia’s Ward Hard Court.

The Victory Valley Royals put out the challenge of Block 22 Flames, 35-17, while home side Amelia’s Ward Jets defeated Retrieve Raiders, 52-33, in front of an appreciative crowd which turned up for the games.
Royals were led by the efforts of the Tappin brothers as Yannick netted 11 points and Kobe, eight, while the Flames’ best player was Johnston Clarke who got nine points in a losing cause.

When Jets suited up for their game versus Raiders, Quincy Easton with 19 points and Leon Benjamin 10 were the principal scorers in that, 52-33, points Jets’ win.
Shemar Anderson with six points and Jamar Bethune five, were the top shoots for the losing Raiders team.

The other team vying for a spot in the semifinals is Kings.
This round robin initial play among the clubs continues tomorrow (Saturday) with two more matches at the Amelia’s Ward Hard Court, where Block 22 Flames will face Kings in the first game from 18.30hrs and Victory Valley Royals match skills against Amelia’s Ward Jets in the second game at 20.30hrs.

This tournament which has attracted five basketball clubs has at stake $100,000 for the winners, $75,000 for the runner-up team, $50,000 for the third-place finisher and the fourth placed team gets $25,000.
The event has the support of former president of the Guyana Basketball Federation Nigel Hinds who handed over a $200,000 sponsorship cheque to President of LABA Dawn McCammon Barker recently.
It was the start of the LABA’s second planned tournament for this year after being elected in February. (Joe Chapman)