Mikahail Williams’ monstrous performance helped Police emerge as the champion of the South Zone Basketball League on Friday night.
The forward notched 35 points to lift Police past Team Elite, 84-72, in game three of the Championship Division final at the Southern Regional Indoor Sports Arena (SRISA) in Pleasantville, taking the best in-three series, 2-1.
The decider lived up to expectations but it was the police officers, who had won game one, 66-62, at the Southwest Regional Indoor Sports Arena (SWRISA) in Egypt, Point Fortin on March 22, pulling away in the fourth quarter for the eventual comfortable win.
Play from the tip-off was even as the scores were tied at 21 at the end of the first quarter. The intense battle continued into the second session but Team Elite, boosted by youngster Jason Friday (26) and Tyrik Singh (21), edged ahead by one (44-43) at the half.
In the third quarter, both teams matched each other offensively scoring 17 points as Team Elite, who levelled the series after sealing an 80-76 overtime win in game two the previous Friday at SRISA, held on to the one-point (61-60) lead heading to the fourth quarter.
However, in the final session, the momentum shifted in favour of Police, led by Williams with support from Kern Alexis (13) and Joel Hinds (10). The team dressed in grey and blue went on a run and outscored Elite, 24-11, to claim the 12-point win.
Edwards leads PFVBBA to U-21 title
The day before, it was the Point Fortin Veterans Basketball Academy (PFVBBA) celebrating the Under-21 Division title after also winning that series, 2-1, getting a 76-63 victory in game three over Hoop Nation.
Leading the way was Simba Edwards with a match-high 24 points in another competitive affair at the Pleasantville venue.
After PFVBBA went 1-0 down in the series following a low-scoring 54-51 defeat at its SWRISA home also on March 22, the Point-Fortin-based team bounced back with a 63-50 win in game two.
In the deciding match, PFVBBA narrowly trailed in the first quarter, 22-21, before moving ahead 41-34 at the halfway mark. Hoop Nation, led by Ronaldo Palmer (22), tried to battle back into contention in the third quarter but the Academy piloted by Edwards with teammates Friday (13) and Joshua Huyghue (12) giving support, forged further ahead 59-47.
Palmer and Hoop Nation did not fade though and with assistance from Isaac Marine (13) and Dexion Rouse (10) almost matched PFVBBA basket-for-basket pouring in 16 points compared to its opponent’s 17 but the double-digit deficit was too much to overcome and it was the Academy coming away with the 13-point win.
Game three results
Friday
Championship Division
Team Elite 72 (Jason Friday 26, Tyrik Singh 21, Selwyn Hills 8) vs Police 84 (Mikahail Williams 35, Kern Alexis 13, Joel Hinds 10). Quarter scores: 1st 21-21; 2nd 44-43 (Elite); 3rd 61-60 (Elite). Police won series, 2-1.
Thursday
Under-21 Division
PFVBBA 76 (Simba Edwards 24, Jason Friday 13, Joshua Huyghue 12) vs Hoop Nation 63 (Ronaldo Palmer 22, Isaac Marine 13, Dexion Rouse 10). Quarter scores: 1st 22-21 (Nation); 2nd 41-34 (PFVBBA); 3rd 59-47 (PFVBBA). PFVBBA won series, 2-1.