Maloney Pacers secure Division 1 crown, Veterans Sweaters edge into 3rd place

Port of Spain, Sept 8 — First Division Champion was crowned Tuesday night in the Kelvin Roberts North Zone Commission League. Fans were treated to a thrilling doubleheader: one matchup was a gritty fight to the finish, the other a commanding display from the titleholders.

Division 1 Final: Maloney Pacers 77 – Straker Nets 70

The Maloney Pacers completed their unbeaten run, defeating Straker Nets in Game 2 to claim the Division 1 championship. With the Nets needing a win to force a decisive third game, they mounted a spirited late rally but ultimately fell short.

Star guard Ahkeel Boyd led the Pacers with a game-high 33 points, including 11 in the opening quarter capped off by back-to-back threes. Supported by Tyrese Fields (18 pts, 4 threes), the Pacers controlled the first half, taking a 39–24 advantage into the break.

The Nets responded after halftime. Sadiki Guerra (22 pts, 4 threes) spearheaded the comeback with 10 points in the third, as Straker closed the gap by outscoring the Pacers 20–14. In the fourth, Guerra and Shakiel Lewis (11 pts, 1 three) continued to press, combining for 15 points, trimming the deficit to single digits.

But the Pacers had answers. Boyd’s steady scoring and a crucial contribution from Lashawn Alfred (13 pts) kept Straker at bay, sealing the 77–70 victory and the Division 1 title.

Top Performers

Maloney Pacers: Ahkeel Boyd 33 pts (1 three), Tyrese Fields 18 pts (4 threes), Lashawn Alfred 13 pts

Straker Nets Sadiki Guerra 22 pts (4 threes), Shakiel Lewis 11 pts (1 three), Chike Augustine 10 pts

Quarter Scores

Q1: Pacers 19 – Nets 11

Q2: Pacers 20 – Nets 13 (Halftime: 39–24)

Q3: Pacers 14 – Nets 20 (53–44)

Q4: Pacers 24 – Nets 26 (Final: 77–70)

Over-45 Playoff: Veterans Sweaters 60 – Detour Shak Attack Veterans 59

In the night’s opener, Veterans Sweaters clinched third place in the Over-45 Division with a nail-biting one-point victory over Detour Shak Attack Veterans.

The Sweaters made an early statement, racing to a 22–12 lead in the first quarter behind Kori Campbell (7 pts, including a buzzer-beating three) and Nigel Fletcher (6 pts). Joseph Cox kept Shak Attack close with six points in the frame.

Momentum shifted in the second period, as Reynold Hospedales (14 pts overall) led a Shak Attack rally. They outscored the Sweaters 15–9 to cut the halftime deficit to 31–27.

The third quarter was another tight contest, Shak Attack edging it 18–15, narrowing the score to 46–45. Both teams battled evenly in the final frame (14–14), but the Sweaters’ strong first quarter proved decisive, allowing them to hold on for the 60–59 win.

Top Performers

Veterans Sweaters: Nigel Fletcher 15 pts, Kore Campbell 13 pts, Dexter Bridgewater 11 pts

Detour Shak Attack Veterans: Joseph Cox 18 pts, Reynold Hospedales 14 pts

Quarter Scores

Q1: Sweaters 22 – Shak Attack 12

Q2: Shak Attack 15 – Sweaters 9 (Halftime: 31–27)

Q3: Shak Attack 18 – Sweaters 15 (46–45)

Q4: 14–14 (Final: 60–59)

The night delivered everything basketball fans could ask for—intensity, drama, and standout performances. With the Maloney Pacers confirming their dominance in Division 1 and the Veterans Sweaters proving experience counts in the Over-45 Division.