By VINO
Elmore Stoutt High School Junior Boys Varsity team came up short, 39-46, in game 3 of the St John-St Thomas Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament against Charlotte Amalie Hawks at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on Sunday April 12, 2015. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO
Despite another inspiring performance from Malchy Payne and Kmoy Walters, the Elmore Stoutt High School Junior Boys Varsity team came up short, 39-46, in game 3 of the St John-St Thomas Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament against Charlotte Amalie Hawks at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on Sunday April 12, 2015.
The decisive win gave the Hawks the Championship after they had won game one last Friday and then suffered a game two defeat, 50-27, to the Rams on Saturday, April 11, 2015.
After grabbing a quickfire lead, the Rams found themselves on the back foot and chasing the game from as early as two minutes in the first quarter. The Hawks stretched to first a five point lead and then a nine point lead before the Rams pulled back to within three.
However, with a turn over and a couple of missed opportunities, the Rams were down eight at the break, 9-17.
With the Rams seemingly going to a man to man marking ploy to stop the rampaging Hawks, once again the Rams found themselves chasing the ball as the lead reached eleven points. Once again the Rams clawed their way back into the game, reducing the deficit to nine, then seven and then five as the home crowd began to get right behind the Elmore Stoutt High School boys.
The halftime score was 23-26 to the Hawks.
A defensive battle highlighted the third quarter with the Hawks finally opening the lead, again on a couple of fast breaks and some impatient shooting by the Rams, to end the period, 31-39.
In the 4th quarter, the Hawks took control of the ball for the first three minutes, until Sanjwan France notched a basket to reduce the gap to just six. Jamoi Levons and Michael Richardson also made baskets, but visits to the free throw line gave the Hawks the breathing space they needed.
Levons splashed a three to bring the scores to 36-42 into the last 90 seconds, but the Hawks had done enough to claim the victory and with it the Championship.
Payne finished with 11 points, Walters and Ajai Frett, 9, whilst Richardson notched 7.
For the Hawks, Daveon Plumber hit 14 and Vallon Toiussaint, 13.
