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IF there was ever any doubt that Victory Royals’ Chris Williams was the best shooter in Linden, those qualms were put to rest when the forward hit seven three-pointers, and netted a game-high 26 points to lead his side to a 66-57 victory over the Amelia’s Ward Jets in the final of the Banks Malta Supreme Magnificent Seven Christmas basketball championship. Watched by a capacity crowd at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court last weekend, on the same night when the Kashif and Shanghai Kings defeated Bulls to clinch the third place spot, Williams electrified the venue as he single-handedly dismantled the Jets defence.
Royals led 21-17 at the end of the first quarter and at the end of the second quarter they kept control 34-29 although the Jets were in the winning radar screen.
After the pivotal third quarter ended the Jets were in with a chance as they showed poise with several plays from a number of their best players including the Webster brothers, national pivot Shane and Allister, inside the paint with power forward Devon Thompson and guards Neil Simon and Rodwell Pellew.
But this proved not enough as the Royals remained focused to the very end with team basketball that broke down the momentum of the Jets, and the aggressive nature of the Royals kept them getting the better of the exchanges throughout.
Even though the Jets were arguably in with a chance throughout when the scores were level at 47 and on points later at 57, it was anybody’s game for the taking.
But this was when the drama unfolded in front of all to see and Carter uncorked that shot from three-point territory and sparked that 9-0 run against a stalled Jets lineup.
In the end it was the early bombs from Williams that set the pace for the Royals, bringing memories of his record 76-point scoring at the Under-23 level one season ago when he had paraded his ability to score points in bunches.
Williams in addition to his 26 points stole the ball three times and grabbed four rebounds to be deservedly named the Most Valuable Player of the final.
His running mate Marlon Pollydore was named the defensive Player of the final as he scored 11 points for six steals and pulled in six rebounds to show his all-round game.
This win comes after it seemed that the Royals had gathered themselves off the floor to regroup after a stuttering start to this campaign where they were uncertain at times if they will make it to the final four at least.
But they have persevered against the odds as they, like other clubs, have players who work outside of the town.
Williams is one such player and his role in the Royals lineup cannot go unnoticed for he is the go-to man and his presence has lifted their status in the end.
Along with him the other players who were unable to be with this team earlier on and are key cogs in their eventual success are the returning front-court players Orlando Glasgow and Harold Adams and the experienced Stephen Couchman and Carter among others.
Sporting their royal blue uniform the Royals certainly did not experience any ‘blues’ Saturday night and shone brighter than their opponents.
They played inspirational basketball and remained offence-minded whenever they had the ball, never letting up the tempo and their rhythm, even when leading to the end of the game.
Inexplicably the dominant play of the Webster brothers was quelled by the approach of the Royals to go at them in numbers, especially when defending them, and their inside game was countered by the Royals’ outside shooting and aggressive transition play.
Adams netted eight points and collected six rebounds while Wilson also had eight points and five rebounds, as Carter got his seven points in the second half and Glasgow recorded six points and eight rebounds, four offensively.
They outplayed the Jets who got a good team effort in the end. Shane Webster led his team with 12 points and five rebounds, guard Rodwell Pellew scored 11 points, power forward Devon Thompson netted 10 points, grabbed six rebounds with shooting forward Ruel McKinnon getting 10 points matching it with 10 big rebounds, Neil Simon seven points and five rebounds, as Allister Webster got four points, 14 huge rebounds and six steals.
For third position Kashif and Shanghai Kings coasted to a 64-46 win over Half Mile Bulls after leading the first quarter 21-11 and at halftime 27-22. The Kings also had the advantage at the end of the third quarter 42-28 and sealed that win 64-46.
National captain Steve Neils (Jr) was the top scorer for the Kings with 13 points and Orin Rise netted 11 points while for the Bulls, Travis Dryden had a good game with 14 points and Michael Turner netted 12.
Outdoor Events Manager of Banks DIH, Mortimer Stewart, was on hand to present the various trophies and replicas to the winners and promised that Banks DIH was willing to promote sports in general as was done with the support of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association.
Royals led 21-17 at the end of the first quarter and at the end of the second quarter they kept control 34-29 although the Jets were in the winning radar screen.
After the pivotal third quarter ended the Jets were in with a chance as they showed poise with several plays from a number of their best players including the Webster brothers, national pivot Shane and Allister, inside the paint with power forward Devon Thompson and guards Neil Simon and Rodwell Pellew.
But this proved not enough as the Royals remained focused to the very end with team basketball that broke down the momentum of the Jets, and the aggressive nature of the Royals kept them getting the better of the exchanges throughout.
Even though the Jets were arguably in with a chance throughout when the scores were level at 47 and on points later at 57, it was anybody’s game for the taking.
But this was when the drama unfolded in front of all to see and Carter uncorked that shot from three-point territory and sparked that 9-0 run against a stalled Jets lineup.
In the end it was the early bombs from Williams that set the pace for the Royals, bringing memories of his record 76-point scoring at the Under-23 level one season ago when he had paraded his ability to score points in bunches.
Williams in addition to his 26 points stole the ball three times and grabbed four rebounds to be deservedly named the Most Valuable Player of the final.
His running mate Marlon Pollydore was named the defensive Player of the final as he scored 11 points for six steals and pulled in six rebounds to show his all-round game.
This win comes after it seemed that the Royals had gathered themselves off the floor to regroup after a stuttering start to this campaign where they were uncertain at times if they will make it to the final four at least.
But they have persevered against the odds as they, like other clubs, have players who work outside of the town.
Williams is one such player and his role in the Royals lineup cannot go unnoticed for he is the go-to man and his presence has lifted their status in the end.
Along with him the other players who were unable to be with this team earlier on and are key cogs in their eventual success are the returning front-court players Orlando Glasgow and Harold Adams and the experienced Stephen Couchman and Carter among others.
Sporting their royal blue uniform the Royals certainly did not experience any ‘blues’ Saturday night and shone brighter than their opponents.
They played inspirational basketball and remained offence-minded whenever they had the ball, never letting up the tempo and their rhythm, even when leading to the end of the game.
Inexplicably the dominant play of the Webster brothers was quelled by the approach of the Royals to go at them in numbers, especially when defending them, and their inside game was countered by the Royals’ outside shooting and aggressive transition play.
Adams netted eight points and collected six rebounds while Wilson also had eight points and five rebounds, as Carter got his seven points in the second half and Glasgow recorded six points and eight rebounds, four offensively.
They outplayed the Jets who got a good team effort in the end. Shane Webster led his team with 12 points and five rebounds, guard Rodwell Pellew scored 11 points, power forward Devon Thompson netted 10 points, grabbed six rebounds with shooting forward Ruel McKinnon getting 10 points matching it with 10 big rebounds, Neil Simon seven points and five rebounds, as Allister Webster got four points, 14 huge rebounds and six steals.
For third position Kashif and Shanghai Kings coasted to a 64-46 win over Half Mile Bulls after leading the first quarter 21-11 and at halftime 27-22. The Kings also had the advantage at the end of the third quarter 42-28 and sealed that win 64-46.
National captain Steve Neils (Jr) was the top scorer for the Kings with 13 points and Orin Rise netted 11 points while for the Bulls, Travis Dryden had a good game with 14 points and Michael Turner netted 12.
Outdoor Events Manager of Banks DIH, Mortimer Stewart, was on hand to present the various trophies and replicas to the winners and promised that Banks DIH was willing to promote sports in general as was done with the support of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association.
