The Bahamas Basketball Federation's Annual BTC Bunny Levarity National Championships ended with the two titles shared between New Providence and Grand Bahama at the DW Davis Gymnasium on Saturday night. Athletico Bahamas, a youthful team comprising of high school and recent graduates, made good of their first opportunity to play among their peers as they captured the B divisional title with a 64-62 triumph over Grand Bahama's Gold Rock Gym Rats. But in the men's A division, the Grand Bahama Shipyard Cruisers sent the trio of MVP Scott Forbes (196-F-75, college: FIU), Quentin Hall (174-G-77, college: Gonzaga) and Franco Miller (187-SG) into retirement as they teamed up to help pull off a 73-72 nail biter over the Mail Boat Cybots There was no ladies' division contested, leaving the Bommer G Lady Operators without any challenge to determine just how invincible they are after going undefeated in the New Providence Women's Basketball Association. Cruisers 73, Cybots 72: Clemente Martin hit a pair of free throws with one minute remaining to give Grand Bahama their final score. But with about 22 seconds, the Mail Boat had a chance to win the game, but Brian Bain rolled over on the floor trying to retrieve a loose ball and was called for traveling. The Shipyard got the ball and they ran out the clock as they began their celebrations. 'This was a long time coming,' said Cruisers' head coach Ross Burrows. 'We built this team for the nationals. This was our purpose all season to come home and win the nationals.' The Cruisers beat the Cybots for the second time in the tournament, winning 91-87 in overtime on Thursday night as Quentin Hall scored his only four points of the game in the extra period, including the game winning free throw. Hall, hitting 6-of-11 three pointers, finished with a game high 18 points with four rebounds to lead the Cruisers' offensive attack when it counted the most in the final. Martin finished with 12 points, three assists and three block shots; Scott Forbes scored 11 points with nine rebounds, five steals and four blocks in winning the MVP; Franco Miller had nine points, six steals, four rebounds and four assists and Irvin Lewis added nine points with six rebounds. 'Hats of to them. That was a hell of a game. I only wished more people was out there,' Hall said of the challenge they got from the Cybots. 'That was a really good game, but it is what it is.' And according to Forbes, it's the end of the line for the talented trio - himself, Hall and Miller. 'We put all of our energy and effort out here for this one. We finally got one together and so we're not going to challenge that and come back and get our behinds beat,' he said. 'That's it.' Miller concurred, calling it a memorable ride. 'This has been fun. We've been doing this for years at every level, together we just bring out the best in each other,' Miller stressed. 'It's good to see that we end our career on a high note. That's it. It's done.' The Cybots got 17 points with 11 rebounds from Eugene Bain (195-C/F-88, college: Bellevue). Georgio Walkes had 13 points and five rebounds; Livingstone Munnings 12 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocks, while Lerecus Armbrister came through with 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. But coach Wayde Watson said it wasn't the way he wanted his Mail Boat to sail into the summer break. 'We had the game. With 24 seconds and in possession of the ball, the worse scenario was to turn it over and that is what we did,' he said. 'We should have attacked the basket and at least get a foul, if we didn't score. But it didn't play out the way I expected.' Now there's more questions than answers for Watson as he look ahead to next season. 'It's going to be a long summer. Some of these guys have been playing in the league for a long time and they wanted to win,' he said. 'We will have to sit down and evaluate what we want to do and go from there. We had a fairly good season, but our goal was to win the national title and we didn't do that.' After leading 20-12 at the end of the first quarter, the Cybots found themselves trailing the Cruisers 39-36 at the half. Grand Bahama sailed into the fourth with a slim 54-52 margin at the end of the third. The Mail Boat managed to tie the score 57-57 in the first three minutes of the fourth, thanks to a three-pointer from Brian Bain. But the Grand Bahama Shipyard was able to surge ahead 66-59 on the trail end of a lay-up from Leon Cooper. With 1:48, Lerecus Armbrister's jumper pulled the Cybots within two, 70-68. But the Cruisers were able to stay ahead and held on for the close encounter. Athletico Bahamas 64, Gold Rock Gym Rats 62: With 6.1 seconds left on the clock, Shakwon Lewis canned a pair of free throw to lift Athletico Bahamas to their B divisional title. 'I felt very confident. I've been working hard on my game and so I felt I deserved to go for the win because I tried the team on my back,' said Lewis, who is not expected to return next year as he's scheduled to go of to college in August. 'It's a good feeling to win.' While Lewis ended up with 16 points and seven assists, Dylan Musgrove exploded for a game high 26 points with six rebounds to earn the MVP honors. Jamaris King chipped in with eight points. Adam Johnson was held to just three points with eight rebounds. 'This is a great win. We're a young new team, but we played hard to get this win,' said Musgrove, the son of former basketball star Gordon 'Slanks' Musgrove. 'We overcame the doubts that a lot of people had about us. We are the division II champions.' Franklyn Petion, who tied the score at 62-62 in a jumper with 21.5 seconds to play, led Grand Bahama with 16 points and six rebounds. Pedro Williams added 13 points and six rebounds as well. Franco Miller contributed 11 points with nine rebounds and Kaleel Solomon added 10 points. 'It was a good game fought by both teams. Mu guys came out strong, but we made two mistakes in the latter part of the game and we were not successful,' said Gym Rats; coach Arnold Mather. 'Hats of to the Nassau they. They played very well and they won the game.' The Gold Rock led 18-12 after the first quarter, only to relinquish the lead to Ahletico in the second quarter as they held a slim 33-32 margin at the half. Athletico again led 49-46 at the end of the third, but it was a close encounter throughout the fourth. Courtesy of: tribune242.com
Buddy Hield selected the top Bahamian playing abroad in last week's games - 6 days ago
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We bring you last week's top performances from Bahamians who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level. Klay Thompson (201-G-90) led Golden State Warriors to a victory over the Phoenix Suns in the NBA in Sunday night's game.
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BUDDY HIELD
We bring you last week's top performances from Bahamians who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level.
#1. This week's number one is former international guard Buddy Hield (193-93, college: Oklahoma, currently plays in NBA). Hield could not help the Sacramento Kings (27-55) in their last game on Monday. Despite his very good performance the Sacramento Kings (27-55) were defeated 98-85 on the road by the San Antonio Spurs.
Hield recorded 17 points.
The Regular Season already ended in the NBA.
It's Hield's first season with the team.
He has individually a very good year with high stats. Hield averages: 13.5ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.9apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 45.7%, 3FGP: 43.1% and FT: 87.7%.
He played for the Bahamas senior national team four years ago.
#2. Second place goes to former international power forward Kadeem Coleby (206-89, college: Wichita St., currently plays in Japan). He was the major contributor in an Akita Happinets' victory against the sixth-ranked Bambitious Nara (14-39) 83-68 in the Japanese B2 League on Sunday night.
Coleby recorded 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks in a mere 19 minutes.
Akita Northern Happinets (47-6) are placed first in East group.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
Coleby has relatively good stats this year: 11.8ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.6bpg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 57.6%(216-375) and FT: 61.2% in 45 games he played so far.
Worth to mention Coleby played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball. He played for the Bahamas national team in 2015.
#3. The Bahamas player who performed third best last week abroad was an experienced former international center Gjio Bain (211-85, college: S.Mississippi, currently plays in Japan). Bain led Kagoshima to a 3-point victory against one of league's weakest teams Saitama Broncos (2-6) 96-93 in the Japanese B League D3 in Saturday night's game.
He recorded a double-double by scoring 14 points and getting the same number of rebounds.
Kagoshima Rebnise (4-4) is placed fourth in the B League D3.
It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
Bain's overall stats this season are: 9.9ppg, 8.8rpg, 2.3bpg, 2FGP: 57.4%(62-108) and FT: 42.4%.
Former Commonwealth Bank Giants starter played for the Bahamas national team seven years ago.
#4. Center Shaquille Cleare (203-93, college: Texas, currently plays in Switzerland) led Pully to an easy victory against the fifth-ranked Swiss Central (2-3) crushing them 97-65 in the Swiss SBL last Saturday.
He scored 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in a mere 19 minutes.
Pully Basket (3-2) is placed second in Places 7-12 group.
Cleare's team will play only one more game in the Second Stage. And that game will be critical.
This year Cleare has relatively solid stats: 12.4ppg, 6.7rpg and 1.3apg in 24 games.
He is also Bahamas national team player.
#5. International forward Jonathan Augustin-Fairell (201-93, agency: Duran International, college: Murray St., currently plays in France) led ADA Blois to an easy victory against one of league's weakest teams Quimper UJAP (8-20) 99-80 in the French ProB (second division) on Friday night.
Augustin-Fairell recorded 20 points; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his third season in pro basketball. ADA Blois Basket 41 (23-5) is placed first in the ProB.
It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row.
Augustin-Fairell has reliable stats this season: 12.4ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.3apg and 1.4spg.
He has a dual citizenship: Bahamas and American.
Augustin-Fairell plays currently for the Bahamas national team.
#6. Guard Michael Carey Jr. (196-93, college: Wagner, currently plays in France) was not able to help Charleville-Mezieres in their game against Sluc Nancy (17-11) in the French ProB (second division).
He recorded 6 points and added 3 passes.
The bottom-ranked Charleville-Mezieres was crushed 90-58 in Nancy by the much higher-ranked Sluc (#7).
It was Charleville-Mezieres' fourth consecutive loss in a row.
Carey Jr.'s overall stats this season are: 9.6ppg, 3.9rpg and 1.4apg.
He is an international player who is currently on the senior Bahamas National Team roster.
The list of other players, who all have Bahamas passport but never been selected to any of Bahamas national teams:
#1.Klay Thompson (201-G-90, college: Washington St., currently plays in NBA) led Golden State Warriors to a victory over the Phoenix Suns (21-61) 117-100 in the NBA in Sunday night's game.
He was MVP of the game. Thompson scored 34 points (!!!) in 34 minutes.
The Golden State Warriors have a solid 58-24 record this season.
There are only three games left until the end of the NBA Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
It's Thompson's seventh year with the team.
He has individually a very good season with high stats. Thompson averages: 20.1ppg, 3.8rpg and 2.5apg in 74 games he played so far.
He has a dual citizenship: Bahamas and American.
#2.Zane Knowles (208-C-92, agency: Octagon Europe, college: Texas A&M-CC, currently plays in France) could not help Charleville-Mezieres (6-22) in their last game. Despite his good performance the bottom-ranked Charleville-Mezieres was crushed 90-58 on the road by the much higher-ranked (#7) Sluc Nancy.
Knowles was the second best scorer with 12 points. He also added 4 rebounds in a mere 17 minutes.
It was Charleville-Mezieres' fourth consecutive loss in a row.
This year Knowles' overall stats are: 8.8ppg and 6.4rpg in 23 games.
Giants - Rockets 96-85
Giants celebrated NPBA title. They overcame Rockets in Game 5 to win the championship series 4-1. The hosts trailed by 5 points after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 3-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 96-85. Giants dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Rockets' 40 and made 25-of-30 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. Giants forced 23 Rockets turnovers. They looked well-org... [read more]
Giants celebrated NPBA title. They overcame Rockets in Game 5 to win the championship series 4-1. The hosts trailed by 5 points after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 3-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 96-85. Giants dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Rockets' 40 and made 25-of-30 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. Giants forced 23 Rockets turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was the former international guard DShon Taylor (196-93, college: Norfolk St.) who scored 27 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international Michael Bain (185-85) chipped in 21 points and 4 assists. Giants' coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. International center Livingston Munnings (-92) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds and Tomeko Moxey added 24 points respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Top scorers: Giants: D.Taylor 27+6reb+6ast, M.Bain 21+3reb+4ast, T.Cox 12+5reb+1ast, D.Taylor 10+2reb+2ast, G.Rose 8+8reb+1ast, K.Hinsey 6+3reb Rockets: T.Moxey 24+4reb+1ast, C.Pinder 18+5reb+1ast, L.Munnings 16+12reb+2ast, L.Storr 10+5reb+3ast, E.Bain 6+7reb+1ast, B.Carter 5+10reb+7ast
NPBA Round 4 of Finals. Giants celebrate third victory - 8 days ago
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Rockets - Giants 88-101
Giants outgunned Rockets to gain 3-1 lead in the championship series. Giants dominated down low during the game scoring 74 of its points in the paint compared to Rockets' 48. 26 personal fouls committed by Rockets helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Gameliel Rose fired a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. The former international guard DShon Taylor (196-93, college: Norfolk St.) chipped in 12 points and 7 r... [read more]
Giants outgunned Rockets to gain 3-1 lead in the championship series. Giants dominated down low during the game scoring 74 of its points in the paint compared to Rockets' 48. 26 personal fouls committed by Rockets helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Gameliel Rose fired a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. The former international guard DShon Taylor (196-93, college: Norfolk St.) chipped in 12 points and 7 rebounds. Five Giants players scored in double figures. International center Livingston Munnings (-92) produced a double-double by scoring 27 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) and the former international power forward Eugene Bain (195-88, college: Bellevue) added 24 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Top scorers: Rockets: L.Munnings 27+14reb+4ast, E.Bain 24+7reb+1ast, T.Moxey 15+3reb+1ast, L.Armbrister 9+8reb+3ast, C.Pinder 9+8reb+1ast, L.Storr 3 Giants: G.Rose 24+11reb+1ast, M.Bain 15+3reb, J.Atkins 12+6reb+1ast, D.Taylor 12+7reb+2ast, K.Pratt 10+7reb+3ast, D.Taylor 9+4reb+3ast
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