St Joseph and La Horquetta have both eased their ways into the round-of-16 stage in the Ministry of National Security Hoop of Life Community Basketball League, with wins over Valencia and Rio Claro, respectively, on Friday. La Horquetta defeated Rio Claro 76-55 in La Horquetta, while St Joseph dominated Valencia, 101-62, in Mt Hope.For La Horquetta, which trailed the first quarter 16-18 but bounced back to open a 32-26 lead at half-time en route to victory, point guard Jeffrey Bourne scored 26 points followed by Andre Jennings, with 11.For Rio Claro, Oree Roberts scored 20 points and Jesse Hamilton supported with 14.La Horquetta will travel to Tobago to face Mason Hall in the first match of a two-match series in which a quarter-final spot is at stake.
Out at Mt Hope, Valencia, which made it to the last eight in the first edition of the programme, struggled against a St Joseph team that played high-intensity basketball throughout all four quarters.Led by centre Jonathan Weekes, who netted 20 points, St Joseph led in all four quarters 24-10; 52-32 and 77-45 after three sessions of play. Weekes was assisted by Seylvon Williams and added 19 points. For Valencia Dexter Thomas, was the game's top-scorer with 39 points.Over at Paradise Heights in Morvant, Caledonia survived a battle with San Juan 77-65 to keep its title hopes alive and a round-of-16 date with Sangre Grande tonight in Sangre Grande.For Caledonia, forward Wesley Vincent, who was named the league's most promising player in the first edition of the project, scored 28 points and Adabe Hume helped with 12.For San Juan, Shorn Solomon burned the opposition's defence for 30 points, but no one else reached double figures.
Mixed fortunes for Tobago teams
The first two Tobago teams in the round-of-24 action in the community basketball league had mixed fortunes, on Thursday night.Tobago Sector 1, first runners up emerged victorious against Longdenville at the Lambeau Recreational Facility, Lambeau, while Tobago Sector Two first runners-up, Moriah lost to Cap de Ville of Point Fortin at the Moriah basketball court, Moriah, despite the presence of a vociferous home crowd.Scarborough, playing without their best shooting forward, Kerry Celestine gave a good performance to triumph, 60-52, while Moriah went down 72-53.Last evening, two matches were played. Diego Martin took on Marabella at River Estate, while Maloney hosted Cocorite. Both matches jumped off at 7.3o. Matches continue this evening.
Results
Thursday
Scarborough 60 vs Longdenville 52
Cap-de-ville 70 vs Moriah 53
Friday
Caledonia 77 vs San Juan 65
La Horquetta 76 def Rio Claro 55
St Joseph 101 def Valencia 62
Fixtures
Today
Guayaguayare vs Penal, Guayaguayare, 7.30 pm
La Horquetta v Mason Hall, Mason Hall, Tobago, 7.30 pm
Caledonia vs Sangre Grande, Sangre Grande, 7.30 pm
St Joseph vs Bon Accord, Tobago, 7.30 pm
Santa Flora vs CapdeVille, Bennette Village, Santa Flora, 7.30 pm