Not as if the lady Cavs and Bulls needed yet another reason not to like each other.
Womens basketball most heated rivalry took another dramatic twist on Sunday, as Act II Popcorn Clapham Bulls survived a scary five-minute drought and a rare scoreless game from Shakira Shorey before edging the champion Mpact Station Hill Cavs 59-57 at the YMCA.
The most anticipated regular season game in recent memory did everything to live up its huge billing, with the tense, last-second finish surrounding a playoff-like intensity that featured its fair share of verbal and physical exchanges.
First came Ria Phillips inadvertent elbow to the throat of Bulls forward Jennifer Joseph-Hackett in the second quarter, before Phillips herself was run over on the ensuing possession.
Then tempers flared between Cavs guard Denesha Elcock and Ruth Gill, which led to the latter shoving her opposite number on the heels of a hard foul in the subsequent third.
Even seasoned veteran Wanda Agard-Belgrave took her chance after the contest to remind Shorey of her scoring futility.
And this was just a first-round game. What next could they do for an encore?
But despite the attempts to downplay the significance of Sundays showdown, neither team treated the matchup of the leagues unbeaten as a mere regular season contest.
And certainly not Clapham, who had demons to exorcise after losing the last two league finals to the nine-time champs.
However, those Station Hill woes nearly came to bear again as the Bulls squandered all but one of a 12-point third quarter lead in a near fatal late game collapse.
This came after Clapham survived an earlier Cavs rally that reduced a 32-22 half-time advantage to just a four-point cushion (39-35), as Atherley had six quick points and paired with reserve Letecia Greene to bump the lead up to 47-35 late in the third.
Despite twin towers Agard-Belgrave and Astrid Alleyne finding no room to operate, Station Hill managed to get within four (50-46) early in the ensuing fourth before Atherley responded by scoring eight straight to restore the double-digit advantage (58-46).
But Bulls failed to score again for the following five minutes, refusing to post Shorey while committing several turnovers, taking ill-advised jumpers and even missing easy lay-up attempts.
It resulted in the champs adding 11 points without reply, with Agard-Belgrave dominating the paint and proceedings to the tune of ten fourth quarter points to pull Station Hill within one (58-57) with 38 seconds to play.
That cushion eventually proved to be enough though, as Phillips missed a wide open jumper on the Cavs final possession, forcing the champs to foul before Greene provided the final margin at the line ahead of the horn.
Atherley led all scorers with 24 points and Sade Clarke added 13 for Clapham while Agard-Belgrave top-scored for the Cavs with 22.
The Lady Bulls now have a lot of keepsakes of their time together. If they never play together again, at least the now defunct womens champions can say they left their mark on history after sweeping the lions share of awards at the Barbados Amateur Basketball Associations awards gala last Saturday at the Wildey Gymnasium [read more]
The Lady Bulls now have a lot of keepsakes of their time together. If they never play together again, at least the now defunct womens champions can say they left their mark on history after sweeping the lions share of awards at the Barbados Amateur Basketball Associations awards gala last Saturday at the Wildey Gymnasium. It was in recognition of one of the most dominant team performances in 2012, when the Clapham-based side won their second successive league title to go along with the champion of champions trophy. The rampaging Bulls also ran away with each individual honour in the womens category as prolific combo guard Toni Atherley (173-G-83) was adjudged both the MVP and Most Offensive Player while forward Rhe-Ann Niles copped the Best Defensive Player and Most Improved awards. But what shouldve been Claphams big moment proved rather bitter-sweet following the clubs publicized breakup at the start of the season. The disbandment came after head coach Barry Rock (Womens Coach of the Year) announced his stunning departure from the game. At least the Bulls had further reason to celebrate after Clapham received their fifth successive Third Division cup and seventh in nine years despite losing out on the knockout title to Lumber Company Lakers. Lakers also accounted for that divisions MVP award through the efforts of former top flight point guard Derek Browne before the club went on to accept the Premier League knockout and champion of champions trophies. However, the biggest honour in the top flight was reserved for Warrens, who copped their first ever Premier League title after finally beating their rivals, Lakers, 3-1 in a stunning finals upset. Six-foot-nine forward/centre Akeem Marsh (206-F/C-87) won his second Premier League MVP award in three years following a season where he was in the top ten in both points (21.9) and blocks (2.4) as well as the top 15 in rebounds (8.9) and steals (2.6). It was the second individual Premier League award on the night for the Urban Vybz St Johns Sonics side after combo forward Dwayne Kellman was adjudged the Most Improved Player. Pinelands forward Charles Vanderpool (203-F/C-87, college: Bridgeport) (Best Defensive), Cougars swingman Adrian Stewart (188-G/F-71) (Most Offensive) and Cavs head coach Adrian Craigwell (Mens Coach of the Year) rounded out the Premier League award winners. Courtesy of: nationnews.com
Combermere hold a slim lead at the top of the table in the National Sports Council/Wibisco Girls Basketball Competition after this past weeks play.
After being led by Harrison College into the new year, Combermere assisted by a walk-over on Thursday evening got up to 13 points after gaining five this week alone. The Waterford girls started the week off on a sour note with a loss to Graydon Sealy at home [read more]
Combermere hold a slim lead at the top of the table in the National Sports Council/Wibisco Girls Basketball Competition after this past weeks play.
After being led by Harrison College into the new year, Combermere assisted by a walk-over on Thursday evening got up to 13 points after gaining five this week alone. The Waterford girls started the week off on a sour note with a loss to Graydon Sealy at home. Nikita President (15) and Ashley Roach (15) led them to a nine-point victory over Combermere after holding the advantage all the way through.
At half-time, despite hard work from Makela Walcott (10), Tatyanna Waldrond (10) and Christina Yearwood, who had a game-high 18, Combermere trailed by eight (27-19). The situation changed very little in the remaining quarters as Shonica Wharton supplemented the Garrison girls scoring with 12 of her own to bring up the 55-46 result.
Thursdays walk-over against Alexandra, who have become ghosts in the competition, gave them a major boost up to the number one spot with a no-contest 20 points and two towards the standings. This weeks final match was against Daryll Jordan and the Waterford lasses cleaned up in fine style. Their final two-point haul came after they decimated the St. Lucy girls 71-9 to give them their fifth win in eight games.
In second and third are Springer Memorial and Graydon Sealy who have yet to drop a game for the season. Going into the new year with four wins each, both teams are now on six apiece after wins from this week.
Springer showed their intent at moving to the top this past Tuesday when they hosted Queens College at Government Hill. Their fifth win was an easy one as they quickly dispatched the girls from Husbands. Half-way through the game the outcome was clear, as QC had only managed six points and the home team was well on their way to victory with 28.
With the bulk of the work already done by Winmalicia Bowen (12) and Hannisha Hoyte (10), Springer slowed the pace to score only 10 more in the second half. However, it was to no detriment as the visitors were only able to manage five to bring their total to 11 by the final whistle.
Springers sixth straight win came on Friday after making short work of Lester Vaughan. Playing at Cane Garden, the home team were unable to withstand the attack of the Government Hill girls and went down 10 to 53.
Graydon Sealy have also racked up 12 points after taking their two wins over the past week. After defeating Combermere on Tuesday, Graydon Sealy faced off against previous leaders Harrison College on Friday at Crumpton Street. In a rather low-scoring affair, the home team fell short by seven points to gift Graydon Sealy the necessary points to tie them for second place with Springer. By the end of the match, they had lost 26 to 33.
After leading for most of the season, Harrison College have now been knocked to fourth place with five wins from seven games. Fifth place continues to be held by Queens College, who got the latest of their wins from a no-contest Alexandra on Friday. They also copped five points this week after beating Daryll Jordan 54-13 on Thursday and losing to Springer on Tuesday.
The competition continues this coming Tuesday with Springer travelling to St. Lucy to play against Daryll Jordan and Lester Vaughan taking the fight to Harrison College. Not to be left behind, Graydon Sealy will also be vying for the top spot on Tuesday when they play Queens College at home.
Station Hill Cavaliers win the championship title - Apr 3, 2012
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Station Hill Cavaliers won the championship title on Barbados. The Lady Cavs handed 78-58 loss to St. Johns Sonics. The Big Final was played on March 24. In the Semifinals, the Lady Cavs outplayed Tigers 60-46. A stage before they eliminated UWI with 20-0 score. UWI did not appear on the court. [read more]
Station Hill Cavaliers won the championship title on Barbados. The Lady Cavs handed 78-58 loss to St. Johns Sonics. The Big Final was played on March 24. In the Semifinals, the Lady Cavs outplayed Tigers 60-46. A stage before they eliminated UWI with 20-0 score. UWI did not appear on the court.
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