6th Brusche’s Classic Basketball… Ravens knockout Guardians 74-65, Jets KO Bulls 80-54 to reach semifinals

Oct 24, 2017 Sports, https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...to-reach-semifinals/

Ravens staked their claim to be in contention for this year’s Brusche’s Classic Basketball Championship with a solid performance when they halted Guardians 74-65 to reach this year’s semifinal, while Amelia’s Ward Jets also came through safely with a 80-54 triumph to also book their slot in the final four on Sunday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.
In the opening game of the night it was Ravens who looked hungry as they were led by Ryan Stephney who shouldered them through with a game high 26 points. They first held a one point advantage 18-17, when the first quarter ended but both sides shared the second quarter 14-14 performance and the scores were 32-31 for Ravens.
However, in the pivotal third quarter the Ravens made a 28-9 run when that period ended 60-40 and even though the Guardians had recovered to take a 25-14 exchange in the final quarter they lost by a 74-65 margin.
Ryan Stephney held them together with a 26 points game, while Jermain Slater added 13 and Ryan Gullen and Tyrone Hamid contributed 11 each.
Nikkoli Smith had a good game playing for the Guardians with 25 points, while teammates N. Yisrael had 11 with T. Woolford getting 10 points.
In the other game a good all round game from the Amelia’s Ward Jets saw them romp past Half Mile Bulls to reach the semifinals.
Adrian Webster played strong inside and Akeem Kanhai directed things from on top the key as they ensured the Jets maintain their good showing throughout this contest.
The Jets first outplayed Bulls 24-8 and while the second quarter was almost even as the Jets had 15 points compared to the Bulls 16, the pivotal third quarter erased that hopes of the Bulls making a final run successfully as they were out gunned 26-16 when the third quarter ended 64-40 and the final scores read 80-54.
For the Jets, Adrian Webster had 14 points, while Kanhai added 13 with Donnel Benjamin and Joel Webster each with 10.
The Bulls best players were Michael turner with 15 points, Terron Welch 13 and Vibert Benjamin 12