The NBA Playoffs are well underway and here in St Lucia there is also hoop excitement, as the quarter final round of the Rooster Select National Men’s Basketball Tournament got underway over the weekend at the Beausejour Indoor Facility. Canaries Moon River Champs, Gardens Athletic Club, VBCC Warlords and Courts Jets emerged victorious during quarter final action. On Saturday Canaries needed overtime, before finally disposing of Morne Gladiators 56-48. The score was tied 46-46 after regulation play but in the overtime session, Canaries outscored the opposition 10-2 to win comfortably. Larry Shepherd emerged as the Cox and Company Player of the Game, scoring 14 points to go along with 11 rebounds. A superb effort but he was not the game’s high scorer. That distinction belonged to teammate Durocher Antoine with 15 points, five rebounds and five steals. Shamoir Jn Baptiste led the Morne with 13 points and seven rebounds. In the second game of the doubleheader, Gardens use their experience and height advantage in a 52-44 win over Babonneau. Germaine “Ringo” Thomas who received the Domino Pizza Player of the Game award led the way for the winning side with 16 points and five rebounds. For Babonneau, Kennedy Cadette top scored with 15 points and should be facing serious time for his eight steals. There was another doubleheader on Sunday featuring two elite teams—VBCC Warlords and the high flying Courts Jets who were both victorious. VBCC led by their dominant centre Marcian Calderon over powered BBC 83-41. VBCC got a jump on the opposition. They led 22-8 after the first quarter and never looked back. There was no stopping Calderon. He scored almost at will with 31 points, which included a thunderous dunk that brought the house down. The dominant centre also had 16 rebounds and should also be serving time for his seven steals. With that performance he was easily the Monster Energy Player of the Game. For BBC, Kurt Rapahel scored 14 points and snagged 14 rebounds in a losing effort. In the second game, Courts Jets cruised past Dennery 83-56 despite a very competitive first half of play. For Courts, Ron DeMurville had the hot hand with 18 points and six rebounds. He emerged as the Domino’s Player of the Game. Kevin Mathurin of Dennery had a game high 22 points and eight rebounds, but needed more help from his supporting cast. Winners of the quarter-final advance to the semi-final stage. In Group A, Canaries Moon River Champs face off against Gardens Athletic Club in one semi-final. In Group B, VBCC Warlords go up against Courts Jets.
