An action-packed Basketball weekend featured games at the Vigie Sports Complex and the Soufriere Basketball Court.
Friday’s double header welcomed National League Basketball back to the Vigie Sports Complex with a full house.
Game One saw the Morne Gladiators looking to make it a perfect start to their title challenge against the Vieux Fort Hoops team that was looking for their first victory in the tournament.
The entertaining opener ended with a blow out and final score of 90-41 in favour of Morne Gladiators. The Gladiators were led by K.F.C. Player of the Game Sharmoir Jn Baptiste who finished with 22 points 4 rebounds and an assist.
For the Hoops, Zephtann Fontelio scored 10 points and 6 rebounds.
Game Two brought the crowd to their feet as the double-digit lead Bonneterre Blazers enjoyed throughout the first 3 quarters was cut down to 2 with a quarter remaining to play. The East Coast Academy behind Kyanni Elwin’s 18 point and 5 steal night mounted a spirited challenge against a star-studded Blazers team and with full crowd support behind them forced heroic buckets from Troy Louison with his two three-point daggers and Shervon Matthew with key inside buckets ensured that the Blazers didn’t register a second defeat on the bounce to stop their run.
For the Blazers, Andre Louison recorded 17 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals to earn the K.F.C Player of the Game. The final score in favour of the Blazers 74 – 60.
Games moved to the Soufriere Basketball Court on Saturday for the weekend’s second double header with the seniors and juniors from Basketball For the Future, Courts Jets and the hometown heroes, Soufriere Kings all attempting to notch a victory.
Courts Jets rewound the hands of time and proved why they have been a dominant force in Saint Lucian basketball for years. With the K.F.C. Player of the Game Tristan James leading all
scores with 19 points and supported by Ryan Philogene 17 points, Jets’ eased their way to their first victory versus the junior squad from Basketball for the Future.
For Basketball for the Future (Juniors) young Jamil James finished with a notable performance of a double double 10 points and 13 rebounds. Top performer was Darnel Amedee with the squad who had 17 pts. and 6 steals.
Final Score: Courts Jets 60 – Basketball for the Future Juniors 35
The final game had the entire basketball community in Soufriere dialed in as the visitors and defending champions Basketball for the Future Seniors took on the Soufriere Kings.
A full team effort backed by a monster night from K.F.C. Players of the Game Jayzee Saltibus (10 points, 21 rebounds) and Linzel Alcee (21 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assist) capped with Sydney Didier’s (16 points, 10 rebounds), Kymani Charles’ (14 points, 4 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks) ensured that the victory stayed in Soufriere.
Basketball for the Future Seniors leader Ron DuMurville who put on a captain’s performance 19 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 4 assists and Jervais Antoine’s 8 rebounds, 5 steals and 2 blocks wasn’t enough to take the team over the line.
Final Score Soufriere Kings 72 – Basketball for the Future (Seniors) – 56
Games continue on Wednesday Feb 8th at the Beausejour Indoor Facility:
Morne Gladiators vs. East Coast Academy 7:30 p.m.