The Revival Invitational Top Performance: Sadiqi Guerra

Here is a review of the Top 10 Performances and games recap for week ending December 8.

Veteran point guard Sadiki Guerra put on an amazing performance for Straker Nets over the weekend in the Revival Invitation Tournament, capturing the Top Performer Award. Guerra recorded a game high 31pts on Friday night against Spartans and the following day he contributed 16 points as Nets remained unbeaten.

The second best player is Guerra’s teammate Tristan Benjamin with a team high 26 points against 2nd ranked Caledonia Clippers. He also contributed 12 points against Spartans.

Third on the list is another Nets player, Nathan Lewis with 12 and 22 points respectively.

Fourth is Caledonia Clippers Leshaun Alfred with a team high 27pts against top ranked Straker Nets on Saturday night.

Fifth is Oilbirds Jabari Belgrave with a game high 24pts, which guided Oilbirds to their first victory on Sunday night. He also scored 8 points on Friday night’s game.

Sixth is Defence Force Kerry McMillan with a game high 22pts against Oilbirds on Friday night.

Seventh is Belgrave’s teammate Antonio Ambris with 13pts and 15pts respectively.

Eight is Oilbirds’ Jonathan Thomas with 13 and 12 respectively

Ninth is Nets’ Steve Williams with 14 and 10 points respectively.

Tenth is Spartans’ Jahiem Harry who registered ten point each in two games over the weekend.

Games Recap:

Straker clip Caledonia 91-69
In the feature game of the Revival Invitational Tournament, Straker Nets secure the top spot with a comfortable 91-69 victory over Caledonia Clippers on Saturday night at St Paul Street Indoor Complex. Both teams started the game with an unblemished record with the top place for the Big-Four Playoffs at stake.

However, from the tip-off Nets dominated Clippers by controlling the contest throughout the entire game 28-21, 51-34 and 76-54 before pulling away to maintain their unbeaten record and being overwhelming favourite for the title. Tristan Benjamin led an all-round Nets effort with a team high 26pts, Sadiki Guerra added 16, Steve Williams had 14 and Nathan Lewis chipped in with 12pts.

For Clippers, the consistent Leshaun Alfred was their best performer with a game high 27pts while veteran Ako Pascall had 13pts in the losing effort.

Morvant Oilbirds stifle Spartans TT, 66-60
Morvant Oilbirds won a hard earned 66-60 battle over Spartans to secure their only victory in the Revival Invitational Tournament on Sunday night at St Paul’s Street Indoor Complex. In the opening session, the youthful Spartans limited Oilbirds securing a 19-13 lead. Oilbirds led by point guard Jabari Belgrave with a game high 24pts and Antonio Ambris who hit three shots from beyond the arc rallied back to control the first half 34-29. In the third, Spartans dominated Oilbirds outscoring them 21-11 to regain the lead going into the final quarter.

Despite their roster limitation, Oilbirds mainly through the combined scoring efforts of Jonathan Thomas with 9pts, Timothy Belgrave 7pts and veteran/coach Casey Belgrave with 5pts including one three flew past Spartans 21-10 in the final period to record the victory. Ambris finished with 15pts while Thomas added 12 for the winners.

For Spartans, Dexter Bridgewater top scored with 14pts, Theron Evelyn had 13 and Jahiem Harry contributed 10.

Defence Force shut down Morvant Oilbirds, 79-60
Defence Force secured a spot in Big-Four Playoff with a commanding 79-60 win over Morvant Oilbirds on Saturday night at St Paul Street Indoor Complex. From the tip off, Oilbirds flew past the Army team 10-2 within the opening 5mins but was unable to maintain control as Defence Force regain the lead 17-14.

Both teams traded baskets but Oilbirds led on to a slender 29-28 advantage at the half. Led by their veteran duo of small forward Kerry McMillan with a game high 22pts and point guard Derrick Boxhill 19pts, Defence Force outscored Oilbirds 23-13 in the third session and 28-18 in the final quarter to secure their playoffs spot. Judidiah Celestine chipped in with 15pts for the Army.

For Oilbirds, Jonathan Thomas and Antonio Ambris each had 13pts while Jabari Belgrave had 8pts.

Straker Nets destroyed Spartans TT, 112-38

In the second game on Friday night, Straker Nets easily maintained their unbeaten record with an imposing 112-38 victory over Spartans. Nets overpowered their younger opponents throughout the game 29-11, 60-16, 81-28 and finished off the fourth period with a 32-10 run. For Nets, Sadiki Guerra led with a game high 31pts, Nathan Lewis had 22, Hakeem Morgan 19, Triston Benjamin 12 and Steve Williams added 10.

Jahiem Harry top scored for Spartans with 10pts in the losing effort.

Straker Nets leads the standings with a 6-0 record; Caledonia Clippers are second (4-1); third is Defence Force (3-2); fourth is Police (3-2); fifth is Morvant Oilbirds (1-5); sixth is Caracas City (1-4); and in seventh is Spartans TT (1-4).

Games recap Youth Division

Royalty crush Trailblazers, 89-70
In the opening game on Friday, Royalty scored a commanding 89-70 win over Trailblazers. Royalty led 27-9, 42-17 and 65-44. However, in the final quarter Trailblazers rallied back narrowly outscoring Royalty 26-24 in the final quarter but the earlier margins were too much to overcome.

For Royalty, Jason Best had a game high 31pts, Ryial Brown had 20pts and Isiah Mitchell added 15. Jaleeb Dancez and Elyah Bruce scored 23pts apiece for Trailblazers while Zion King contributed 10pts in the losing effort.

BBA smashed 500 Hawks, 69-52
On Sunday, Basic Basketball Academy (BBA) scored a comfortable victory over 500 Hawks. BBA through the combined scoring of Caleb Ferguson and Aidan Balgobin with 12pts apiece and Yohance Blandin with 11pts led every quarter 17-9, 35-28, 58-37 and 69-52 at the end.

For Hawks, Negaste Moore top scored with 11pts while sibling Nekajse Moore added 10pts.

Royalty stop Spartans TT, 82-69
In the other game, Royalty maintained their unbeaten record with an 82-69 win against Spartans TT. Royalty controlled the game from the tip off and led throughout 21-15, 44-28 and 67-55 before finishing off with the final quarter with a slender 15-14 margin for the win.

Royalty benefited from a combination of Jason Best with a team high 17pts, Jedaiah King had 15pts, Christian Gillineau & Isaiah Mitchell tallied 12pts apiece while Jalen Euin added 11pts.

For Spartans, Idris Martin scored a game high 33pts and Adrian Weeks had 17pts.

Royalty leads the standing with a 4-0 record, Spartans are second with 3-2, BBA is in third with 3-1, Hawks are fourth with 1-3 and Trailblazers are fifth with a 0-2 record.