HLSCC Stingrays Kleon Penn, left, goes for a block against the Jr. Mystics

 Stingrays, Mystics vying for spot in Big Ballers championships

BY DEAN GREENAWAY

The HLSCC Stingrays and the Virgin Gorda Jr. Mystics will meet in the deciding game of the BVI Big Ballers League semi-finals on Saturday, with the winner earning the right to meet the Jr. East Rockers—who eliminated Squad Up—for the championship.

The Stingrays hanged on to beat the Jr. Mystics 71-67, on Sunday night at the Multipurpose Complex, after being blown out by a 69-48 score on Friday. Sunday’s victory wasn’t sealed until the Jr. Mystics’ Junior Frederick missed a 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds left. Jeremy Wattley was fouled on the ensuing play and converted one of two free throws to preserve the win.

“We wanted to keep it close, play defense and put all that fatigue aside and bring everything you have because we can play with them,” said Stingrays coach Morris Wattley noting that is was a hard fought victory from start to finish. “It’s just that coming to end, when Virgin Gorda brings the pressure, my players seem to panic as if they have no confidence in themselves. But tonight, they held on for the victory.” Jr. Mystics’ coach Trevor ‘West’ Stevens declined comment on the loss.

Wattley led the Stingrays with 17 points. Mckenzie Baltimore, David Souzana and Nigel Williams tossed in 12, 11 and 10 points respectively. Kleon Penn added nine points and pulled 10 rebounds to go with three blocks. Fredericks led the Mystics with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Travis Issac and Leando Creque poured in 16 and 15 points respectively.

Gary ‘The Glove’ Hillhouse paced six scorers in double figures with 24 points in the Sr. Mystics’ 115-57 triumph over All On Da Line. Keithroy Farrell poured in 14 while Mark Noel and Gavin Stevens added 13 each. Dennis Allister and Bruce Davis chipped in 11 and 10 points respectively. Michael Bassue and Neville Skelton had 15 and 13 points as All On Da Line leading scorers.

The Sr. East Rockers blew out the Latinos 105-67, as David ‘Bolo’ Lettsome’s 34 points led seven scorers in double figures. Brent Henry contributed 17 and Claude Richardson 12. Cardinal ‘Wolf’ Fahie and Jahmal ‘Trigga’ Rabsatt poured in 11 a piece. Dwayne ‘Kobo’ Penn and Dwayne Thomas tossed in 10 points respectively. Penn also grabbed 14 boards. Andy Ramirez had 25 points and 19 rebounds for the Latinos. Yeimi Sorinao chipped in 21 with seven rebounds.

Leslie Smith scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half as the Jr. East Rockers eliminated Squad Up from the playoff with a 62-59 victory. The Jr. Rockers won the opener 84-74. Smith was joined in double figures by Garvin Frett with 14 and Tad Martin with 13. Travis Malone tossed in a 12 point 10 rebound double double to go with seven blocks. Careem Scatliffe had a game high 23 points for Squad Up. Jevon Frett finished with a 15 point 14 board double double. He also had six steals. Jerome Barnes settled for 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The Shockers, playing with a bare five, stymied the Rebels 100-79. Brian ‘Chinaman’ Blyden led the Shockers with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Tori King chipped in a 20 point 13 board double, and Avery ‘Boonkie’ Percival had his own 17 point 14 rebound double double. Reynaldo ‘Crossover’ Smith had a game high 37 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Rebels. Travis Fonseca and Aaron Parillon added 12 and 11 points respectively.

East Sonics got 21 points and 10 rebounds from Melbourne Francis, in a 93-64 victory over Last Minute as all five starters hit double figures. Vince Pickering narrowly missed a triple double with 16 points, 11 assists and eight steals. Ephraim Gordon had 15 points and 10 rebounds while Joel Levons and Jevon Springette added 10 each. Jamie Hopkins led Last Minute with a game high 27 points. Jerry Martin and Benson Thomas poured in 19 respectively and Michael Bassue contributed 10.

After tying the score at 53 to end the third quarter, the Bad Boys outscored Off De Chainz 26-9, en route to a 79-62 triumph. Keyon Thomas led Bad Boyz with 17 points and seven rebounds. Calvin Smith added 15 points and nine rebounds, while Keito Canton tossed in 14 points and 11 boards. Ricardo Farrington chipped in another 10. Dalvern Blyden led Off De Chainz with 19 points, 11 rebounds and six steals. Alfred Greenaway and Raymond Mercer poured in 12 and 10 points each.