By VINO
West Gunners new champions of 2015 Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League. Photo: Charlie Jackson / VINO
The West Gunners were crowned Champions of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League on Saturday 7th November, 2015, completing a sweep of the Splash Brothers, 80-69, in game two at the Save the Seed Energy Centre.
Having been restricted to just five points in the third quarter, the Gunners again used a strong finish to overcome their opponents, this time a 27 point last quarter surge, despite Ray D. Victor having to sit out (fouled out), led by Gerard Vanterpool.
Vanterpool notched ten points in the final few minutes of the game after the score had been locked at 55-55 with just over eight minutes left. He finished with 14 points and five rebounds.
The first quarter ended 22-21 to the Brothers, with the packed venue being richly entertained, after they had recovered from an eight point hole to pull level at 17-17 in the final few seconds.
Ray D. Victor had a lengthy spell off court following a bang to the head, but on return he had to watch the East Division Champions pull ahead after Travis A. Isaac and Shamoii A. Dagou both scored. Samuel France then pulled it back to 22-21.
Isaac increased the lead to begin the second quarter, but Ray D. Victor’s “3” soon leveled matters and D’Moi M. Hodge and Rowan Victor put the Gunners up 28-24, before Ray D. Victor added two more and Hodge splashed from long range to make it 33-26.
The Brothers then went on a 10 -2 run to regain the lead, Hodge tied it up, Ray D. Victor put the Gunners ahead, Hodge netted a “3” and a “2”, Rowan scored again and Ray went 1/2 from the charity stripe to give the Gunners a half time lead of ten points at 48-38.
The Splash Brothers then staged another comeback, in the third quarter, scoring 8 points on the run to make it 48-46. Ray D. Victor scored the first points of the quarter for the Gunners, a “3”, with 6:32 left on the clock and with the Splash Brothers defense playing strong, Isaac scored on a twisting dribble and drive into the paint, JB C. Brodie leveled the game from the free throw line and the same player put the Brothers up 53-55 with 26 seconds left.
The fourth remained tight with the lead changing hands, until just like in the first game, the Gunners turned on the after burners and raced away into a 9 point lead with 7:31 left. The Brothers though fought back to within two with five minutes left, but even with Ray D. Victor fouling out they just could not stop the Gunners as Cameron and Hodge ensured the Trophy would belong to the West.
“That was the most difficult moment ever,” commented Victor on sitting out and having to watch the drama unfold. “We played great defense and stuck to West Gunners principles, never giving up.”
Championship MVP, Hodge, finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds, Ray D. Victor 19 and 7, Rowan Victor 14 and 8, adding 6 steals and 6 assists and Bjorn Caleb 10 rebounds.
“It feels great to win,” stated Rowan Victor. “We played with great unity, stuck together and came up with the win.”
The Splash Brothers were led by 18 points and 12 rebounds by Travis A. Isaac, JB C. Brodie added 17 with 18 rebounds, Shamoii A. Dagou 12, and Charlesworth Georges with 10 and 14.
All Star Game 2015
Earlier, the Save the Seed All Stars overcame the VG Summer Jam All Stars 66-60, led by 16 points from Steve E. Parillon, 14 from Dwayne M. Stoutt and 9 from Terique Wattley. Deangelo Sampson scored 16 for the VG team and Jkwan Frett 12, whilst Requan Fahie picked up 11 rebounds.
