The 2024 edition of the Tertiary Basketball League continued at the National Gymnasium on Sunday, June 9, with Linden Technical Institute (LTI); New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) and University of Guyana (UG) culminating the group stage with contrasting wins.
The opening game of the night saw the LTI, with their ability to convert baskets, emerging victorious against a dominant Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), with a 12-point margin of victory after a final score of 72-60.
National junior player Kimol Grimmond, with 32 points, led the LTI from the jump ball, with an all-round performance from his team. Lerone Joseph also contributed 13 points.
Quintyn Dexter did not miss out on the action for GSA, as he netted 14 points while Dennis Prince contributed 12 points and Omarion Sampson, 11.
Grimmond, in giving an exclusive comment to Guyana Times Sport divulged the key to the team’s unbeaten streak in the tournament.
The unbeaten Linden Technical Institute
Grimmond said, “Well, I mean we felt good at least the job is not done, but at least we got the win tonight, play great defence, especially offence. I think it is staying to get together as a team, playing as a team, communicating well; we didn’t fear anyone coming into the competition and that was the main goal for us to come and be on top of the league.”
The second game of the night NATI having their first taste of victory as Upper Corentyne Combined (UCC) remained winless. NATI secured a 2-point victory, with the scoreline reading 52-50.
Aberone Collins was persistent as he managed to get the ball through the net to top-score with 23 points and he received support from Jerome Trim (14 points) and Timothy Rampersaud (11 points).
Fredrick Lashley continues to be pivotal in the UCC offence as he managed to top-score for his team with 16 points, while Adrian King scored 12 points and Aaron King and Aldon Angel contributed 10 points apiece.
With the final game of the night being decided from the three-point line in the final seconds of the game, UG managed to prevail in a one-point victory over Government Technical Institute (GTI). Their opponents failed to score free throws which resulted in their demise 63-62.
With a phenomenal 34 points, Jushawn Bayley led UG’s offensive attack with his ability to manoeuvre. He was supported by Malachi Grimmond, who scored 10 points, and Oroyo Trotman, who scored 7 points.
Also giving an exclusive comment to this publication was Bayley, who expounded that mental fortitude was the key to the win.
Bayley explained, “Exhausted, man, tired gotta fight through it, we gave up a lot of offensive rebounds, especially from the free throw line; we get them back in the transition line from the offence. All in all, it was a great game. Mindset, mentality, gotta stay in it , with all of the bad calls, good calls, we gotta stay in it.”
The tournament will continue next Sunday from 17:00h as the semi-finals are set to commence. (Omar Mckenzie)
The post Tertiary Basketball League: Points fest brings exhilarating end to group stage appeared first on Guyana Times.