By:
André Springer
The Discover 246 Cavaliers ran circles around Gatorade Pinelands in a 14-0 third quarter to earn their way to the top of the mountain, taking the finals 76-59 and the title in the inaugural 2016 Digicel NexGenABA U23 Independence Invitational Basketball Tournament.
The Cavaliers kept their heads down throughout the game and kept focus on the goal, following the lead of powerhouse Joel Hunte who had a game high 20 points and Finals MVP Zachary Cave with 16 points. Hunte and Cave have played some of their best basketball in the U23 tournament, Hunte with massive two-hand slams that excited the crowd; and Cave with big rebounds and smooth jumpers.
The two players play against each other in the Barbados Amateur Basketball Association Premier competition but worked together to give the Cavaliers their second title for the 2016 basketball season.
The Pine have nothing to be ashamed of, having played well during the tournament, carrying on the trend of excellent performances by the club this year. The Pine took the 2016 BABA Premier League Championship, Women’s Championship, U16 Junior Championship and finally the U17 3x3 National Qualifiers. Pinelands was looking to end the season big but the Cavs were bent on ending their streak.
Anand Joseph Thorne netted 13, while “Big men” Romario Hutson and Jamario Clarke both scored ten points for the champs. Gatorade Pinelands were led by Kiserian Adams who scored 18, while Tournament MVP Derion Hurley was held to 12 points.
In what must be considered one of the best youth tournaments hosted in Barbados in years, the Digicel NexGenABA Independence Invitational packed the Barbados Community College. Earlier the BABA First Division League Finals struggled to pull even half the crowd. They all turned up to support the Barbadian basketball talent showcased on the court in an excellently organised tournament by founder Zahir Motara.
The third place match did not disappoint either, taking extra time for the Challengers to upset Vega Investment Warrens 71-69. The game saw the Challengers take it to the “Comeback Kings” Warrens team to force overtime. Player of the game Ashley Smith tied the game at 58 in regulation with under one second remaining. Smith, led all scorers with 25 points, while teammates Chemar Steele scored 13, Christopher Holder 12 and Nathaniel Waithe 11. Jonathan Dottin led Warrens with 22 points and Makaari Jones finished with 11.
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