THE National Gymnasium hardcourt saw splendid action on Saturday evening as the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) staged the semi-final of the Elite 16 Knock-Out Basketball Tournament.
Stabroek Eagles looked on the verge of a blow-out showing in their semi-final contest, but again choked at the line as North Ruimveldt Ravens came from behind to stop them again 84-81 for a place in the final.

Eagles led 21-10 after the first period and kept their lead intact 36-26 at the half, with the experienced Michael Turner’s 20 points and the energetic Zion Gray with a game-high 22 points showing their ball-handling and shooting skills.
However, as was the case in the One Guyana Basketball League Final, Eagles’ inexperience and temperament reared its ugly head, as the cracks showed with a myriad of mistakes in the third period to allow Ravens back into the game.

Ravens, led by Nikkoloi Smith’s 21 points, Dominic Vincente’s 19 points and Shamar Huntley’s 16 points, stepped up to take the game away as they overtook the Eagles 58-49 in the third.
Eagles would mount a mini comeback as Denzel Ross and national player Travis Belgrave, with 14 points each, came to the fore, but it was short-lived as Ravens staved off the challenge to win it 84-81.

In the other ‘semi’, veteran national player Harold Adams had a tournament-high 48 points as he led the Victory Valley Royals to a 12-point win over Kwakwani Untouchables, 102-90.
It was a ding-dong affair as the two teams went toe-to-toe until the Royals finally pulled away in the fourth for the victory.
The Royals also had big minutes from Orland Glasgow with 22 points, and Yannick Tappin with 17 points as they led 23-20 at the end of the first period, and 50-40 at the half.

Kwakwani’s Domair Gladstone put in a player-of-the-match-worthy showing, shooting 33 points as they upped the ante in the third quarter to draw scores level, 68-68.
Gladstone had support from Kelon Phillips with 19, and Kadeem Dover’s 16 points as they outscored royals, 28-18, to pull back the contest.

In the fourth quarter, the two teams went shot-for-shot, with Adams proving the difference maker in the end for Royals, as they earned a place in the finals.
The knock-out basketball competition is sponsored by the Ministry of Sport, MVP Sports, and Praetorian Security.
The grand finale is set for Saturday November 30 at the National Gymnasium, with the top side pocketing $300,000, and $100,000 for second place.