Ravens Basketball Club Wins It All

Ravens reign, Pacesetters defamed
By Kiev Chesney

Courts Pacesetters began this season with both of their teams ranked number one. But in their first outing the Pacesetters, outfitted in bright yellow failed to shine, instead they faded into to shadows; it was ‘Ravens time’.
The chant (Ravens time) known to heart Ravens fans and players resonated the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Sunday night as Ravens defeated Pacesetters in both the third division and open category to sweep the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) knockout tournament.
In the first encounter of the evening, Ravens’ juniors
set the tone by their dethroning arch adversaries 71-69. Ravens overcame several leads by Pacesetters who jumped ahead on the champions on some brief offensive splurges but their Ravens defence kept them within striking range.
Setters led 17-13 after the first period, but in the second period, Ravens gave two-time dunk out champion Tyrone Hamid his drivers’ license. Hamid who ended with a game high of 24 points, violated the Pacesetters zone defence as he repeatedly drove through to the basket. Hamid was quick beating the Pacesetters guards off the top of the key and caused trouble in the paint as the rotating forwards got in fouls trouble in their attempts to stop him.
Raven’s rode the Hamid train and led 38-37 at halftime, before forward Dellon Davidson took over late in the third quarter and early in the fourth. Davidson who scored 15 points battled on the both the offensive and defensive glass and got to the foul line where his respectable shooting put Ravens ahead. Marlon ‘Ten’ Haynes would also switch on the fourth quarter hitting a few clutch jumpers, as Ravens got a more all-round offensive effort in the fourth to close things off.
Pacesetters junior national forward Drexel Amsterdam assaulted the offensive glass and ended with 15 points. His fearless post-play was instrumental in keeping Raven’s captain Keno George on the bench since he picked up four fouls in the first half. Travis Williams hit two three-pointers during his team leading 16 points. One of Williams’ shots gave his team a one-point lead with less than five minutes remaining. Ravens had loss the last few head to head encounters.
Ravens first division on the other hand, secured a more convincing victory against their rivals 88-71. Street ball legend Stephon ‘Penny’ Henry got the starting opportunity to executed Ravens game plan early along with Rodwell Fortune and Kevin Lawrence in the backcourt. Their plan was to run down Pacesetters on defense early and so that they could benefit from their explosive transition game.
Pacesetters limited their transition game but three pointer from Penny and Lawrence kept Pacesetters on their heels early. Pacesetter backup point guard Aubrey Smith was instant offense off the bench dropping a quick four point in his first few rundowns while most of his teammates struggled as they trailed 18-22.
Ravens captain Darcel Harris made his make in game in the decisive second quarter where the Ravens progressively crept away from Pacesetters. Harris’s defensive pressure in the backcourt forced many turnovers and allowed his team to get their transition game going. During the final six minutes of the second quarter Harris had five steals, and the Ravens finished the first half strong 42-33. To put an exclamation mark on the halftime score line Ryan Stephney drove strong to the basket, drew the defenders and then found an open Ryan Gullen in the low post, who rose up and rocked the rim with a one-handed dunk.
Ravens then outscored Pacesetters 22-11 in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.Dwayne ‘Brown Sugar’ Roberts scored 17 points while Fortune scored 15 and Marlon Rodrigues who drilled three three-pointers added ten.