The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE last remaining player from the RM Bailey Pacers’ championship team two years ago, Dario McKenzie, now in a leadership role, was the catalyst for the Pacers’ opening day route to tip off the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) basketball season.

McKenzie finished with a near triple-double – 12 points, seven rebounds, eight steals and two assists – in the Pacers’ 78-59 win over the CR Walker Knights at the DW Davis Gym yesterday.

A close game in the first quarter with two ties and seven lead changes got out of hand early in the second as the Pacers pulled away.

Crispin Gibson, who led the Pacers with a team high 16 points, scored the last four points of the first quarter to give the Pacers a 16-14 lead after one.

RM Bailey opened the second on a 10-1 run and eventually took their first lead of double figures on a Jamaine Bethel three point play for a 29-17 lead with 3:08 left in the half.

McKenzie ended the quarter with a highlight reel play, chasing down a Knights player for a steal and ending the fastbreak with a no-look assist to Tamecko Coakley.

RM Bailey took a 37-24 lead at the half.

After a slow start to the third where both teams struggled to score early, the Pacers went on a run to put the game away for good.

McKenzie’s pair of free throws gave his team a 58-38 lead and they took a 60-38 lead into the fourth on a Coakley layup.

The Knights never threatened in the fourth, trimming the deficit to 14, but the Pacers went on a 6-0 run to regain their 20-point advantage.

Eric Pyfrom came off the bench to add 12 points and eight rebounds, Bethel finished with nine points while Coakley added seven.

Van Hutchinson led the Knights with 27 points, eight rebounds and six steals, Shaquille Outten added 13 and Mark Emmanuel added 10 points and a game high 21 rebounds.

The Pacers held a 36-9 advantage in points off turnovers and their bench outscored the Knights 42-16.

Pacers head coach Nigel Ingraham said his team came out prepared and ready to play on day one.

“I love the passion the guys came out with today, especially on the defensive end,” he said. “I want them to come out every game and execute, that’s goal number one going into every game and from there it’s all about going out there and having fun.”

In his lead guard, Ingraham said he has high expectations in his senior year. “I’ve had him since first grade and his growth as a player and as a young man has been tremendous,” Ingraham said. “He should be the top point guard in the country when the year is done.”