The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

POWERED by junior national team standout Deangelo Mackey, the St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine senior boys’ basketball team looks to continue their dominance in the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools.

Mackey finished with a game high 19 points yesterday to lead the Big Red Machine to a 70-20 win at home over the Aquinas College Aces.

Mackey, playing in his first year in the senior division, said his experience as a national team member prepared him to lead his team to the BAISS championship.

“We expect to win a championship, that’s all it’s about right now,” Mackey said.

“This summer, playing against that competition in all those countries, it helped my game a lot, I learned a lot of things playing against the different countries and I think it’ll help me this year a lot. It improved my ability to pass, shoot, play defence so I’m ready and my team is ready.”

Pivot-man Eugene Stuart added 18 points, Rayneil McKinney finished with 10 while Xavier Coakley finished with nine points.

Coakley, a nationally renowned sprint hurdler, said his team is focused on reclaiming a senior boys’ title.

“We expect nothing less than a championship,” he said. “Coach told us not to underestimate any team, just give it 100 per cent on defence and the offence will come.”

That defensive effort was well on display against the overmatched Aces.

After a slow start offensively, SAC led just 14-10 at the end of the first quarter after the Aces’ D’Quan Smith banked home a jumper just before the buzzer sounded.

SAC held the Aces scoreless in the second quarter 20-0 and put the game out of reach for good. They led 34-10 at the half and 49-13 headed into the fourth quarter.

It was the final game for both teams before the Christmas holiday.

When they return, SAC will host the St Anne’s Blue Waves, while the Aces will host the CW Saunders Cougars.