Being stuck in a relegation battle all season, British American Insurance Jackson now surprisingly has the leagues longest current winning streak.
Now one more victory would give them a more valuable streak; two consecutive years in basketballs top flight.
Jackson extended its seasons best winning streak to three games after defeating the slumping Station Cavaliers 77-70 on Wednesday night as the Sprite/BOA Premier League continued at the Wildey Gymnasium.
Being stuck in a relegation battle all season, British American Insurance Jackson now surprisingly has the leagues longest current winning streak.
Now one more victory would give them a more valuable streak; two consecutive years in basketballs top flight.
Jackson extended its seasons best winning streak to three games after defeating the slumping Station Cavaliers 77-70 on Wednesday night as the Sprite/BOA Premier League continued at the Wildey Gymnasium.
Playing their favoured run-and-gun style of offence, Jackson (4-8) started the contest on an initial 11-5 tear behind the starting backcourt of Javid Beckles and Fabian Sealy.
The energetic duo took advantage of the Cavs lacklustre defensive effort in the first quarter, scoring 10 of their sides first 13 points by forcing the issue in transition for uncontested lay-ups and open looks from the perimeter.
Station Hill (7-5) quickly countered by slowing the pace of the game, locking the scores at 15 by effectively running their half court offence through national forward Junior Moore.
But Jackson too showed they could execute in the half court as forward Ricardo Boyce got going in the low blocks, scoring in the paint while creating acres of space for Sealy on the perimeter.
A 21-17 Jackson first quarter lead quickly turned into a 12 point Cavaliers deficit early in the second, as the pre-season favourites were held scoreless for the periods first four minutes.
National guard/forward Kevin Sealy would provide the Cavs with a brief spark off the bench at both ends but it would prove futile as Jackson unloaded its full offensive arsenal.
With Sealy continuing his exploits in the open court and Boyce still causing problems in the paint, star swingman Peter Alleyne joined in on the act, propelling the squad to a huge 39-25 lead late in the quarter.
However, Jackson would get sloppy while closing out the half, committing several unforced turnovers which led to a couple easy baskets Station Hill baskets, resulting in the Cavs reducing the deficit to 40-31 at intermission.
But whatever momentum the Cavaliers had entering the half-time break they quickly lost it with the resumption of play as Jackson reopened their substantial advantage.
A pair of treys from sharp shooting small forward Kirk Porte ignited an 11-5 Jackson run to start the third quarter as Station Hill opened the half flat at both ends of the floor.
Trailing 51-36 midway through the period, the Cavaliers would make a valiant attempt at getting back in the game, applying full court pressure on defence when Alleyne decided to sit out the rest of the third.
However, they encountered some stubborn resistance despite Alleyne watching from the side as Jackson managed to maintain a double digit lead, 58-48, entering the fourth.
But that persistent full court pressure would pay off at the top of the ensuing quarter as Jackson suffered an apparent meltdown at both ends of the court, resulting in the Cavs closing the gap to 60-56.
That is as close as Station Hill would get though as Alleyne and Beckles ended the brief insurgence, responding by scoring eight unanswered points to rebuild Jacksons advantage.
The Cavs would threaten once again in the games dying moments behind constant dribble penetration from national point guard Corey Williams, reducing the deficit to five points inside the last minute.
But they would not have enough left in the tank to make a serious run at the opposition while Beckles and Boyce did enough down the stretch to seal the win.
Beckles led the way with his first double-double of the season, 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Boyce scored 19 with Alleyne and Sealy adding 14 and 13 points respectively.
For the Cavs, Sealy led all scorers with 21 points, Williams finished with a further 15 while Moore scored 14 points and grabbed 14 boards.
Cavs hold on for last second victory over Tridents
From several electrifying dunks, to numerous hard fouls and even three clutch three pointers down the stretch, Saturday nights marquee game between the league leading Station Hill Cavaliers and the upstart Sagicor Tridents had it all; including one wild finish.
After being called for an offensive foul on what should have been the Tridents last possession, Tridents forward Akeem Marsh returned to steal the ensuing inbounds pass near half court with 1.
From several electrifying dunks, to numerous hard fouls and even three clutch three pointers down the stretch, Saturday nights marquee game between the league leading Station Hill Cavaliers and the upstart Sagicor Tridents had it all; including one wild finish.
After being called for an offensive foul on what should have been the Tridents last possession, Tridents forward Akeem Marsh returned to steal the ensuing inbounds pass near half court with 1.4 seconds left, giving him the unlikeliest of opportunities to snatch a last second victory.
But it was not to be as the national forward narrowly missed the subsequent thirty-foot heave by the smallest of margins, allowing the Cavs to hold on for a dramatic 88-87 win in the Sprite/BOA Premier League.
Playing at the Barbados Community College, the highly anticipated rematch of the knockout semi-final between the two clubs lived up to its billing, as the contest contained more memorable, eye-popping plays than the all of the seasons previous games combined.
From Tridents guard Damian McCleans three treys in the opening three minutes, to national forward Junior Moore three consecutive dunks early in the second quarter, to Tridents big man Andre Holder emphatic, two-handed facial on national player Corey Williams later in the same period, the riveting showdown was surely one for the ages.
However, those plays would pale in comparison to the high drama that followed in the fourth quarter.
After sitting out most of the third quarter in foul trouble and watching his side squander all of a double digit lead, Moore checked back in the game early in the fourth to steady a then weary Station Hill side.
Moore went to work immediately in the low blocks, breaking open a 69 all deadlock at the top of the period by sparking an 8-2 Cavs run, as the lanky forward picked back up from his 19 point first half effort.
Such a momentum shift would have signalled the end of the school boys last year; however, this season the Tridents side has shown a tough mental resolve that is usually associated with veteran squads.
Ignited by a difficult fall away three pointer from shooting guard Keefe Birkett and an ensuing Holder tip slam, the school boys responded swiftly with a run of their own, outscoring the league leaders 12-2 to grab an 83-79 advantage with 1:44 left to play.
But the game was far from over as Williams and reserve Cavs forward Ricardo Yearwood replied with treys of their own, hitting them one behind the other to restore a one point Station Hill lead inside the games final minute.
The lead would change hands twice seconds later, as McClean scored an uncontested lay-up on a perfectly executed inbounds play while Moore did the same as a result of an ensuing drive-and-dish from Williams.
Starting their final possession of the game trailing 88-87 with 14 seconds on the clock, the Tridents got the ball in Birketts hands but the sharp shooting guard missed the tough fade away while Moore had appeared to grab the defensive board as time expired.
However, Moore was called for pushing while establishing position for the rebound giving the school boys one last chance with 1.4 seconds remaining.
Then came the series of unlikeliest events, as Marsh was whistled for an offensive foul on the ensuing inbounds pass, then nearly atoning for his error by coming up with the subsequent steal but narrowly missing the long heave as the buzzer sounded.
Moore finished the heart-stopping contest with game highs of 28 points and 16 boards, while Williams added 18 points and Andre Jean-Pierre chipped in with 13 points.
For the Tridents, Holder ended with 18 points and three blocks, Birkett also scored 18 while Marsh added 13 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks with McClean scoring a further 13.
With long-time Pinelands frontcourt mate Ryan Maynard injured, Gary Miller knew that the big stage would require an even bigger performance.
The indomitable forward/centre rose to the occasion, dominating the contest from start to finish on his way to a game high 33 points, leading the Pine to a title clinching 68-63 win over the second seeded Patriots in the final of the BOA Intermediate knockout competition at the Wildey Gymnasium on Tuesday night.
With long-time Pinelands frontcourt mate Ryan Maynard injured, Gary Miller knew that the big stage would require an even bigger performance.
The indomitable forward/centre rose to the occasion, dominating the contest from start to finish on his way to a game high 33 points, leading the Pine to a title clinching 68-63 win over the second seeded Patriots in the final of the BOA Intermediate knockout competition at the Wildey Gymnasium on Tuesday night.
Invigorated by the boisterous pro-Pinelands crowd seated behind the team bench, Miller wasted no time in stamping his authority on the game's proceedings, pouring in five quick points as the Pine opened the contest by scoring eight unanswered points.
But the Patriots would soon get past their initial nerves and Pinelands' opening burst, responding with a rally of their own behind great team defence and the superb efforts of national forward George Haynes.
The 6'8' 'big man' created matchup nightmares for the smaller Pinelands frontcourt, easily scoring over his shorter low post defenders while keeping grabbing several defensive boards at the other end of the floor as the Patriots seized the momentum by locking the scores at 14 entering the second quarter.
It was there that they would encounter Miller at his dominant best.
Using his superior strength and vast experience, the Pinelands post player began the period on a personal 5-0 run, accounting for his side's first eight points in the quarter as the Pine gained the early advantage once again.
From free throw line jumpers, to back-to-the-basket moves and finishes amongst multiple defenders, Miller showed his entire offensive arsenal in scoring 12 points over a seven and a half minute span to push Pinelands' lead to 31-20.
With the help of guard Rawle Conway, Haynes attempted to lead yet another late quarter Patriots surge, combining with the resurgent shooting guard for seven points near the end of the period to spark a brief run.
But they failed to make significant inroads into the sizeable deficit as opposing swingman Ramon Simmons knocked down a timely trey to end the rally, while Steve Sealy and Corey Nurse scored some crucial free throws to put Pinelands ahead 37-29 at the half.
Behind great full court pressure on defence, the Pine was able to stretch its lead into double digits once again by outscoring the opposition 8-3 to start the third quarter.
However, they would fail to put away the Patriots after putting themselves in yet another strong position, committing numerous, unwanted mistakes which Haynes and company willingly took advantage of.
With Pinelands allowing his side to hang around in the contest, Haynes would be at it again, erupting for 10 third quarter points to bring the Patriots within five, 52-47, at the end of the period.
But Miller would prove to be the difference between the two sides as the prolific inside scorer overpowered the Patriots frontcourt in the low blocks for seven points in an 11-3 Pinelands run to start the fourth, extending the side's lead to 61-50.
Patriots threatened to make a game of it late in the fourth, with Conway running hot from the perimeter to reduce the lead to as little as four points, 67-63, with just a minute remaining.
However, the Husbands based side would have nothing left in the tank, failing to add the score sheet as Pinelands held on for a five point triumph.
Conway finished with a team high 20 points and Haynes added a further 18 while Miller was the lone Pinelands player in double digits.
Cavs capture third Premier League KO crown in four years
After giving up 30 points in the first quarter, pre-season favourites Station Hill Cavaliers rallied to hold the defending champs Lumber Company Lakers to just a further 38 on their way to a convincing 78-68 championship performance in the final of the BOA Premier League Basketball knockout at the Barbados Community College on Sunday.
With that victory Station Hill has now copped their third knockout title in four years to justify their pre-season favourite status.
After giving up 30 points in the first quarter, pre-season favourites Station Hill Cavaliers rallied to hold the defending champs Lumber Company Lakers to just a further 38 on their way to a convincing 78-68 championship performance in the final of the BOA Premier League Basketball knockout at the Barbados Community College on Sunday.
With that victory Station Hill has now copped their third knockout title in four years to justify their pre-season favourite status.
But, as they did in Saturday's semi-final against the Tridents, the Cavs looked anything like the favoured side in the first quarter.
The defending champs rattled off nine unanswered points to start proceedings as Station Hill opened their second successive game in as many nights lifelessly at both ends of the floor.
Needlessly throwing away the ball and struggling mightily from the field, the Cavs also failed to get back in transition to stop opposing point guard Derek Browne and swingman Adrian Stewart in the open court.
The Lakers also executed their half-court offence to perfection, as Browne found his way to the ring with utmost ease, while centre Andre Boadu dominated in the low blocks, extending the Husbands side's lead to 25-8.
Station Hill reserve guard Kenrick Haynes provided a much needed spark off the bench, leading a brief 7-0 Cavs run but Boadu and Browne closed the quarter scoring four consecutive points to keep the Cavaliers at bay.
But it wouldn't be for long as Station Hill rallied to start the ensuing period with Browne resting on the bench to open the second.
Suffocating their opponents behind a renewed intensity on the defensive end, the Cavs responded with a subsequent 14-4 surge to reduce the once massive deficit to just four points, 34-30, at the 3:40 mark of the quarter.
Inspired by backup point guard Errol Pollard's play off the bench, added to some timely outside shooting and strong inside play from national forward Junior Moore, Station Hill would get within three in the dying moments of the half until Stewart resurrected the Lakers offence.
Forcing the issue in transition and off dribble penetration, the burly small forward scored five points to ignite a period ending 7-2 Lakers run that pushed their advantage to 45-37 at the half.
However, that advantage would disappear with a blink of the eye.
Sparked by torrid perimeter shooting from starting guards Corey Williams and Jason Smith, Station Hill opened the third quarter scoring seven unanswered points to spark an ensuing 21-8 explosion as the Cavaliers began to stamp their authority on their overwhelmed opponents.
It didn't help the Lakers' cause any that their offence sputtered with Boadu being forced to the bench due to foul trouble, while national shooting guard Zahir Motara and Adrian Allman settled for countless, unsuccessful long range bombs.
In all, the defending champs scored just ten third- quarter points on a woeful three of 17 from the floor in the period.
Leading 65-55 to start the fourth, Station Hill's lead would be threatened midway through the quarter as Allman and Motara hooked up for four treys on consecutive possessions to get as close as three points, 71-68.
But the pair fell in the trap of living behind the three point arc, wasting subsequent possessions by hoisting unwarranted deep balls while the Cavs put away the game behind a solid rebounding effort led by reserve forward Jamai Puckerin.
The last of the four treys, Allman's third in the period, would turn out to be the Lakers' final field goal in the game as Station Hill stretched their advantage to double digits once again, duly putting an end to their opponents' rally.
Smith and Haynes scored 11 points each to lead five Cavs players in double digits while Pollard, Williams and Kevin Sealy added ten points apiece.
For the Lakers, Boadu had a game high 15 points, Browne netted 13, Allman finished with 11, while Stewart and Motara both ended with 10 points each.
Behind a great defensive effort which limited the league's top ranked offence to 28 second half points, the pre-season favourites Station Hill Cavaliers moved on to the BOA Premier League knockout final with a hard fought 79-70 victory over the Sagicor Tridents at the Barbados Community College on Saturday.
Behind a great defensive effort which limited the league's top ranked offence to 28 second half points, the pre-season favourites Station Hill Cavaliers moved on to the BOA Premier League knockout final with a hard fought 79-70 victory over the Sagicor Tridents at the Barbados Community College on Saturday.
Ironically, the school boys were the ones who would start the contest playing well at the defensive end of the court, giving no daylight to guards Corey Williams and Jason Smith out on the perimeter while twin towers Akeem Marsh and Andre Holder grabbed every defensive rebound available.
And needless to say, all systems were go for their high powered offence at the other end of the floor.
With Marsh going to work early in the low blocks and versatile combo guard Stefan Yarde wreaking havoc against his perimeter defenders, the Tridents raced to a quick 19-6 advantage within the game's first six minutes as the Cavs were made to pay for playing a lacklustre zone defence.
Station Hill would be forced to stem the flow of points by switching to a subsequent man-to-man defence while also bringing in reserves Kevin Sealy and Ricardo Yearwood to provide some energy and hustle of the bench.
The move would pay off at both ends of the floor for the Cavaliers as the duo attacked the basket with reckless abandon while drawing cheap fouls on Holder and Marsh underneath the basket to reduce the deficit to seven points, 26-19, early in the second quarter.
Back to back baskets from guards Keefe Birkett and Damien McClean had appeared to end the Cavs brief rally until the school boys made the grave error of leaving Smith free from beyond the arc for a pair of long range bombs as Station Hill continued to keep the pressure on.
However, they would get no closer than seven for the remainder of the first half as reserve swingman Andre Freeman gave the Tridents a huge lift off the bench with a pair of jumpers of his own, leading the school boys' to a 42-34 half-time lead.
But the Cavs weren't done yet.
Led by an oppressive full court man-to-man defence and some timely baskets on the inside from national forward Junior Moore, Station Hill took their first lead of the game midway through the third period, 48-47, as the Tridents only managed five points in the first five and a half minutes of the quarter.
With the Cavaliers threatening to run away with the contest late in the third, Holder and Marsh played like men possessed, diving and hustling for every loose ball while combining for a Herculean six blocks in the dying moments of the period as the school boys regained the advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
The lead changed hands continuously in the period, with both sides trading baskets back and forth as Williams and Sealy attacked the hole via dribble penetration while Birkett made good on the open looks he was given from the perimeter.
But the prolific Tridents guard would give the opposition the break it was looking for in the dying moments of the game, missing a left-handed lay-up in transition then failing to get back on the play as Williams connected on a three to put the Cavs ahead 74-68 with one minute left on the clock.
The school boys' inexperience would be their eventual undoing as Marsh failed to hit a pair of crucial free throws down the stretch while Yarde turned over the ball twice which led to two baskets at the other end, allowing the opposition to walk away comfortably at the end.
Moore led the Cavs with 16 points, Williams had a further 15 while Sealy and Yearwood added 12 and 11 points respectively. For the Tridents, Birkett led all scorers with 18 points, Yarde finished with 15 and Holder netted 10 points and added six blocked shots.
Despite a game high 25 points from swingman Peter Alleyne, reigning champs Lumber Company Lakers reached their second successive knockout final when they defeated British American Insurance Jackson 80-68 in the night's first game.
Ormond Haynes led the way with 13 points while Adrian Stewart and Zahir Motara added 13 points apiece.
Not even one of the most memorable of performances from Ryan Leacock could exorcise Clapham's demons against the Lakers.
Despite a game-high 30 points from the veteran shooting guard and an unfortunate incident which sidelined Lakers star Zahir Motara, the reigning double-crown champs maintained their recent dominance of Clapham.
They ousted the Bulls from the Sprite BOA Premier League Knockout Competition with a 67-61 first-round victory at the Wildey Gym on Wednesday night.
Not even one of the most memorable of performances from Ryan Leacock could exorcise Clapham's demons against the Lakers.
Despite a game-high 30 points from the veteran shooting guard and an unfortunate incident which sidelined Lakers star Zahir Motara, the reigning double-crown champs maintained their recent dominance of Clapham.
They ousted the Bulls from the Sprite BOA Premier League Knockout Competition with a 67-61 first-round victory at the Wildey Gym on Wednesday night.
Having committed the senseless foul on Motara which led to last week's gut-wrenching league loss, Leacock looked determined to atone for his grave error, turning back the clock in the third quarter with one of the best individual performances of recent history.
However, the Lakers have not lost to the Bulls since being swept in the 2006 league finals - winning the last four meetings between the two elite clubs - and they were keen to extend that streak.
After trailing 30-35 at the half, the defending champs opened the third quarter spiritedly, with forward Matthew Moore scoring four straight points. But they had no idea of what was to come from Leacock.
A foul on the Clapham veteran beyond the arc got the indomitable shooting guard on his way. He made all three free-throws and then scored back-to-back baskets for seven quick points to keep the Bulls ahead 42-39.
Then the Lakers suffered a bit of bad luck.
After hustling on the floor for a loose ball, Motara laid there for several minutes after receiving an inadvertent knee to the back of the skull that opened a huge gash in the national player's head.
There was a 15-minute delay as Motara received treatment on the floor before making his way to the bench. But he reigning champs failed to heed referee Andrew Mayers' calls to return to the court, resulting in the official giving the side a technical foul.
This infuriated the Lakers players and coaching staff, but neither their reaction nor the lengthy break seemed to have any effect on Leacock.
He calmly sunk both free throws before knocking down a pair of treys to close the period with all 17 of Clapham's third-quarter points to his name.
But, as they did in last season's knockout final, ironically against the same Bulls, the men in blue used Motara's early exit as extra motivation.
Led by a renewed effort at the defensive end of the floor, they took the lead within the first three minutes of the fourth period as reserve guard Adrian Allman connected on two long-range bombs.
Leacock's younger brother, Neil, finally broke his sibling's streak of consecutive points for Clapham with back-to-back baskets. But Neil only found himself trading hoops with Allman, as the diminutive Lakers reserve hit his third straight three to lock the scores at 61.
The Bulls failed to bother the scorers from there, as they fell apart after forward Alvin Padmore fouled out at the 1:34 mark.
The Lakers' defence forced crucial turnovers down the stretch to key a game-clinching 6-0 run, with Adrian Stewart leading the charge.
The Lakers swingman scored a team-high 14 points, with Allman and Moore adding a further 13 and ten points respectively.For Clapham, Padmore ended with 13 points and ten rebounds while Neil Leacock scored ten.
British American Insurance Jackson registered the competition's first upset when they knocked out second seeded Playfair Warriors 56-53 in the night's first game.
Shooting guard Javid Beckles and Ricardo Boyce led Jackson to the emphatic victory with 16 and 15 points respectively, while David Smith was the Warriors' top scorer with 12 points.
Who would have thought that the leagues' worst teams could combine for the season's best game?
Having 'choked' in the clutch at the end of Jackson's last game, star swingman Peter Alleyne would not make the same mistake twice in a row, this time scoring the go ahead basket with 18.5 seconds left on the clock to pull out a 74-72 nail-bitter over winless Weekend Nation Nico Deacons Fastbreaks in the latest action of the Sprite/BOA Premier League on Saturday night.
Who would have thought that the leagues' worst teams could combine for the season's best game?
Having 'choked' in the clutch at the end of Jackson's last game, star swingman Peter Alleyne would not make the same mistake twice in a row, this time scoring the go ahead basket with 18.5 seconds left on the clock to pull out a 74-72 nail-bitter over winless Weekend Nation Nico Deacons Fastbreaks in the latest action of the Sprite/BOA Premier League on Saturday night.
Playing at the Barbados Community College, the contest had the intensity and passion of a playoff game; highlighted by numerous dives to the floor, hustling and scrapping for loose balls as neither side appeared willing to give anything away with both teams looking to notch their first victory of the season.
Locked at 54 points early in the fourth quarter, the two bottom of the table clubs traded baskets and turnovers alike back and forth for the entire duration of the game's final period as no one team managed to gain a clear cut advantage over the other with the biggest margin being a four point lead by Deacons.
A pair of treys from diminutive Fastbreaks point guard Dale Clarke had appeared to give his squad the all important momentum midway through the fourth, pushing Deacons a 66-62 cushion as Jackson started to look flat at both ends of the floor.
But that momentum would be short lived as the Fastbreaks inexplicably called a subsequent timeout, allowing Jackson to catch its collective breath as ensuing baskets from post players Shemiele Balgobin and Ricardo Boyce knotted up the scores at 66 with 3:35 left to play.
Jackson would get the big breaks it was looking for just seconds later with the in-form Deacons forward Neil Harewood fouling out leaving the Fastbreaks with one less viable offensive option on the floor.
However, Deacons refused to surrender, with a field goal from swingman Henry Richards plus four made free throws from Clarke and Bryan Worrell keeping the side in the contest with the game tied at 72 points inside the final minute.
But Alleyne would ensure he wouldn't let two successive close games slip from his grasp, knocking down a tough fade-away over his defender to put Jackson ahead by two, then watching as Clarke turnover the ball at the other end thus forcing the Fastbreaks to foul Boyce in the open court with 4.5 seconds on the clock.
Boyce nearly left the door open though, missing both ensuing free throws, however Balgobin tracked down the offensive board as time expired to seal the dramatic, last-second victory.
Kirk Porte top scored for Jackson with 16 points, Boyce netted 12, while Balgobin and point guard Fabian Sealy both added 11 points each with Alleyne adding a further 10. Richards led all scorers on the night with 20 points while Harewood and Clarke scored 17 and 12 points respectively.
In the night cap, defending double crowned champs Lumber Company Lakers improved their record to 5-2 with a hard fought 66-61 victory over Roll-A-Way Storm and Security Shutters St. John's Sonics.
Reserves Adrian Allman and Ormond Haynes both led the way with 14 points apiece, with Zahir Motara adding 13 while point guard Derek Browne had 10 points and 11 rebounds for his second double-double of the season.
Jefferson Trotman, Bernard Howell and Hayden Forde all had 10 points for the Sonics who dropped to 4-3.
Held to a mere 16 first-half points, highlighted by reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jefferson Trotman's woeful six of 21 shooting performance, Roll-A-Way Storm and Security Shutters St. John's Sonics (4-2) had their worst offensive display of the season, going down 80-54 to Station Hill Cavaliers in the Sprite/BOA Premier League Basketball match at the Wildey Gymnasium on Thursday night.
Held to a mere 16 first-half points, highlighted by reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jefferson Trotman's woeful six of 21 shooting performance, Roll-A-Way Storm and Security Shutters St. John's Sonics (4-2) had their worst offensive display of the season, going down 80-54 to Station Hill Cavaliers in the Sprite/BOA Premier League Basketball match at the Wildey Gymnasium on Thursday night.
On a night where the pre-season favourites were clicking offensively from as early as the opening tip, the Sonics' offensive futility merely made the Cavs' work that much easier, as the easterly squad registered just one field goal and four points in the initial six minutes of the first quarter.
Despite captain Jason Smith starting zero for four from the field in the period, the Cavaliers (5-2) appeared as if they could do no wrong offensively in the first quarter, as starting point guard Corey Williams was perfect from the perimeter.
He combined with fellow national players Junior Moore and Kevin Sealy to score 18 of the side's 24 first-quarter points in building a 16-point advantage.
After netting just one of his six field goal attempts in the previous period, Trotman continued to force his hand in the second quarter. But it would be to no avail as he got back the same returns as in the first, resulting in Station Hill extending their substantial lead past 20 points.
Even without Williams providing a major contribution in the period, the Cavs offence did not miss a beat, with reserve swingman Corey Howard giving the team huge impetus off the bench, while the misses piled up at the other end of the floor.
From outside jumpers, to runners in the lane and even simple lay-ups, nothing would fall for Sonics, illustrated by the fact that small forward Rommel Garnes' two successful second-quarter field goals represented half of the Sonics' total points in the period.
By half-time they faced a massive 42-16 deficit.
The Sonics' fortune changed with the onset of the second half, however, as the Gall Hill-based team began to force the issue in their favoured transition game by turning up the defensive pressure.
Capitalising on some untimely turnovers and poor decision-making from the opposition, Trotman and Garnes converted Station Hill's misgivings into points in the open court, steadily chipping away at the substantial lead as the Cavaliers could only manage eight points in the first six-and-a-half minutes of the third quarter.
However, Sonics' efforts would be in vain, as back-to-back baskets from reserve guard Kenrick Haynes spurred a Cavs' offensive revival that opened the floodgates in the fourth.
Moore, the league's leading rebounder, ended with 16 points and 18 boards, while Williams also finished with 16 points and Sealy added a further 13. For the Sonics, Trotman scored a game high 20 points and Garnes ended with 13.
Even the older Clapham stalwarts are finding ways to add to the Bulls' forgettable first round.
Getting the advantage of two successive mental errors from Clapham's veteran players, national shooting guard Zahir Motara scored four consecutive free throws within the space of seven seconds as the reigning double crowned champs Lumber Company Lakers overcame a dubious three point deficit to record a tense 64-63 victory in the Sprite/BOA Premier League at the Wildey Gymnasium on Wednesday night.
Even the older Clapham stalwarts are finding ways to add to the Bulls' forgettable first round.
Getting the advantage of two successive mental errors from Clapham's veteran players, national shooting guard Zahir Motara scored four consecutive free throws within the space of seven seconds as the reigning double crowned champs Lumber Company Lakers overcame a dubious three point deficit to record a tense 64-63 victory in the Sprite/BOA Premier League at the Wildey Gymnasium on Wednesday night.
Leading 63-60 with 14.5 seconds left in regulation, the Clapham side merely had to avoid giving up a subsequent three point play, an uncontested shot from behind the arc or worse yet, a foul on an opposing three point shooter.
To the Bulls' anguish, veteran forward Mark Foster just happened to pick the last of the three.
Inexplicably reaching in on an ensuing, off-balance Motara three point attempt, the former national stalwart caught the Lakers shooting guard on the wrist, sending the island's best foul line shooter to the charity stripe for three free throws and a chance to tie the game.
Motara would gladly oblige, sinking all three foul shots to lock the scores at 63 with seven ticks remaining on the clock; time enough though for the Bulls to atone for their grave error at the other end of the floor.
However, fellow former national player Ryan Leacock would only further add to Clapham's grief, missing a subsequent runner in the lane after taking on two defenders at the top of the arc, only to commit another unfathomable foul on Motara eighty feet away from the basket after the diminutive Lakers guard hauled in the ensuing rebound.
With less than a second left in the game Motara made sure the opposition would not get a chance to win or force overtime though, intentionally missing the second free throw after making the first that gave his side the lead; ensuring the Bulls had no opportunity of calling a time-out to run an inbounds play.
Earlier in the contest, centre Andre Boadu overpowered the smaller Clapham frontcourt on the glass and at the offensive end as the Lakers executed well at both ends of the floor to take a 17-12 lead in the first quarter.
But the Bulls would bounce back in the ensuing period behind a greater half court defensive effort and a perimeter assault which featured Leacock and athletic swingman Halley Franklyn. The pair attacked the rack relentlessly, creating for themselves off the dribble while their opposition struggled to protect the ball against some oppressive Bulls' defence, registering eight turnovers in the period as Clapham took a 30-29 advantage by the half-time break.
However, Boadu would get going in the low blocks once again, pairing with Motara who stretched the opposing defence on the perimeter to pilot a resurgent Lakers offence as Clapham failed to sustain their defensive pressure from the previous quarter.
It did not help the Bulls' cause that their guards failed to get the ball on the inside to promising forward Alvin Padmore, relying solely on Leacock and younger brother Neil for most of their offence in the third. This resulted in Clapham falling behind by eight points, 43-51 by the end of the quarter and by as much as twelve early in the fourth as the reigning champs pressed home the advantage.
That advantage would quickly fade once the Bulls brought their renown, stifling defence however, allowing for easier opportunities at the other end as Padmore finally broke free of the Lakers' shackles when allowed to operate with a less crowded interior.
The athletic big man scored seven of his 10 points down the stretch of the fourth to key a crucial 15-3 Clapham lead that saw his team take their first lead since the first quarter at 62-58 with 2:15 to go.
In the night's first game, star British American Insurance Jackson swingman Peter Alleyne missed two free throws in the dying moments of the fourth allowing league leaders Playfair Warriors to walk away with an impelling 58-56 triumph despite the absence of leading scorer Corey McDonald.
David Smith led the way with 16 points while Ricardo Boyce top scored for the winless Jackson side with 13.
Even with the absence of superstars Andrew Alleyne, Jeremy Gill and Kelvin Patterson the league's oldest rivalry continues to be its most gruelling.
Even with the absence of superstars Andrew Alleyne, Jeremy Gill and Kelvin Patterson the league's oldest rivalry continues to be its most gruelling.
Spurred on by a stellar defensive effort in the third and fourth quarters, pre-season favourites Station Hill Cavaliers broke out of a 38 all half-time deadlock by holding the Clapham Bulls to just 26 second half points on their way to a convincing 76-64 victory when the Sprite/BOA Premier League resumed at the Barbados Community College on Saturday.
Failing to break free of their historic rivals in a riveting, back and forth first half, last season's league finalists made a concerted effort to protect the ball on offence early in the third quarter to keep the Bulls out of their favoured transition game in hopes that a slower half court game would cause problems for the Clapham side.
It would indeed as swingman Halley Franklyn appeared to be the lone effective option in the Bulls half court offence with Station Hill denying any room on the interior for forwards Alvin Padmore and Mark Foster to operate, resulting in Clapham scoring just eight points in the first six minutes of the period.
Though not particularly fluid at the other end of the floor, the Cavs still managed to take advantage of their opponents' offensive woes by capitalising on the Bulls' ordinary perimeter defence through the outside shooting of national point guard Corey Williams.
Obviously believing that they had to pay no attention to their poor defensive rotation along the perimeter as the sharp shooting Jason Smith watched from the Cavs bench in foul trouble, the Bulls quickly found out the error in their ways with the diminutive Williams knocking down a pair of treys to lead a parade of perimeter jumpers from Station Hill.
Guards Errol Pollard and Corey Howard each added a three pointer of their own as the Cavaliers went a scorching four of six from behind the arc in the third quarter to open up a seven point advantage, 60-53, heading into the fourth.
The Cavs swiftly stretched that lead to double digits, 65-55, in the early exchanges of the ensuing period as Franklyn fouled out within minutes of the game's resumption after Williams connected on yet another triple to start the fourth.
With Station Hill continuing to make life difficult down low for Padmore and Foster, veteran shooting guard Ryan Leacock would attempt to take on Station Hill's defence single-handedly but failed miserably, going a woeful one of eight from the floor in the quarter before he too fouled out midway through the fourth.
By that time the Cavs were in full cruise control despite missing nine free throw attempts in the fourth as Clapham's subsequent full court press only managed to put the Station Hill players at the line instead of forcing the intended turnovers.
Williams led the way with a game high 17 points and got useful contributions of 10 points from both Howard and Pollard. For the Bulls, Franklyn and Leacock each scored 15 points while Padmore finished with a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds.
A BABA season high and career best 37 points from Sagicor Tridents shooting guard Keefe Birkett helped the school boys overcome a disastrous nine point performance in the first quarter to come away with a hard fought 86-76 triumph over winless Weekend Nation Nico Deacons Fastbreaks in the night's first game.
National forward/centre Akeem Marsh chipped in with 18 pints and 11 boards while swingman Henry Richards top scored for Deacons with 30 points.
