Two Basketball giants fall in weekend hoops

BY DEAN GREENAWAY

 A former BVI Basketball Federation champion and runners up, fell in last weekend’s Big Ballers League play at the Multipurpose Sports Complex. Off De Chainz handed the Fryers an 84-72, Sunday night loss, after All Ah We pummeled the Guns by 28 points, 98-70 on Saturday.

The loss was particularly painful for the Fryers, as their playoff aspirations received a serious blow. They will now have to rely on others for help to get into post season play. “Coming into this game, the Fryers had a lot of trash talk, because on paper they seem to have a better team. But, my team has a lot of heart,” explained Dalvern Blyden, who was one steal shy of a quadruple double in Off De Chainz’s 110-64, midweek victory over Nuttin 2 Do. “I would have had the Fryers to be one of the big teams in my division and beating them has boosted my team’s confidence,” Blyden added. “Right now, I feel there’s no team out there that can beat my team.” Fryers coach Dean Simmonds declined comment following the loss.

Blyden combined with Roger Farrington for 22 points in helping Off De Chainz overcome a seven point first quarter deficit, with a 25-9 second quarter run. Off De Chainz led 39-30 at halftime. Farrington had 28 points and seven rebounds. Blyden added a 20 point 19 rebound double double, to go with seven steals and four assists. Raymond Mercer contributed another 12 points and seven rebounds. Guard Caleb Liburd had 20 points and pulled 10 rebounds the lead the Fryers. He also dished out six assists and grabbed five steals. Keith Smith added 16 points and pulled 14 boards, while Keithley Liburd tossed in 12 more points.

All Ah We over came a slow first quarter start then pulled away for a convincing 98-70 victory over the Guns on Saturday night. The contest began with All Ah We missing their first three shots to trail 5-0. After that, they went on a 12-2 run and never trailed for the rest of the game while building a 15 point 47-32 halftime lead. Nathaniel ‘Nat’ Malone got the bulk of his 21 points off fast breaks and perimeter shooting. He also had seven rebounds. Lyle Duggins and Eded ‘Beef’ Stoutt added 17 points respectively. Dudley Richardson led the Guns with a game high 29 points. Gregory Romney just missed a double double with 14 points and nine rebounds.

The Virgin Gorda Mystics improved to 4-0 with a 72-68 victory over Sonics. Keithroy Farrell led the Mystics scores with 22 points. Gary ‘The Glove’ Hillhouse and Garvin Stevens poured in 18 and 16 points each. Stevens also grabbed game high 17 boards. Melbourne Francis topped the Sonics with 13 points. Vince Pickering and Mackriel Pickering finished with 10 points a piece.

Big Ballers League scoring leader Andy Ramirez had game highs in points and rebounds to lead the Latinos past All On Da Line, 90-86. Ramirez had 34 points and 25 rebounds. Yemi Soriano added 18, dished out seven assists and grabbed six steals. Otis Claxton just missed a double double with 15 points and nine rebounds. Delon Mills led All On Da Line with 30 points and 11 off the glass. Kenneth Helliger and Anthony Bobb poured in 14 and 12 points respectively.

The Jr. East Rockers handed the HLSCC Stingrays their third straight loss, 62-60. Tad Martin had 24 points to lead the Jr. Rockers. Travis Malone narrowly missed a double double with 17 points and nine rebounds. Leslie Smith had nine points and game high 16 boards. McKenzie Baltimore and David Suzana were the only Stingrays players in double figures with 18 and 13 points a piece.

The Jr. Mystics also stayed unbeaten, after pounding winless And One 102-43. Travis Issac and Junior Frederick lead the Jr. Mystics by scoring 15 points respectively. Frederick also had 21 rebounds and five steals. Ricky Samuel added another 14 points. Carlisle France scored nine points for And One. Jevaughn Callwood finished with eight points, eight rebounds and 15 blocks.

Squad Up beat Run It Red 102-99, in a game that was called off with 5.8 seconds left because of unsportsmanlike conduct. Kareem Scatliffe had a game high 29 points to go with eight steals and six rebounds. Dion Smith had a 24 point 11 rebound double double along with seven steals. Jerome Barnes added another 19 points. Douron Phillip was Run It Red’s leading scorer with 25 points and 16 rebounds. Akeem ‘Cunky’ Titley just missed a double double with 19 points and nine assists. Lloyd Graham was also just shy of a double with 17 points and nine rebounds.

Keith Smith had 29 points and Caleb Liburd added 27, to lead the Fryers to a 106-82 victory over the winless Apostles. Keithley ‘Bait’ Liburd added 10. Roger Phillip was the Apostles leading scorer with 25 points. He also had eight rebounds, four steals and four assists. Elton Charles and Nicholas Laurac poured in another 13 and 12 points each.

Behind Alton Vanterpool’s 28 points, 14 rebounds and seven steals, the Shockers trimmed Last Minute 84-80. Brian ‘Chinaman’ Blyden recorded a 22 point 10 rebound double double. Jerome Hopkins led Last Minute with 22 points, seven rebounds and six steals. Michael Bassue and Jerry Martin finished with double doubles of 19 points, 15 rebounds and 14 points and 14 rebounds respectively.