The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

The Grand Bahama Shipyard Cruisers knew that the New Providence Commonwealth Bank Giants would make the necessary adjustments for the championship game. But they felt they still had a team capable of winning the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s Bunny Levarity men’s national title.

After blowing out the Giants 71-54 in their first encounter on day one of the three-day tournament at the AF Adderley Gymnasium, the Cruisers had to hold on for a slim 82-79 decision on Saturday night to take two of three titles to Grand Bahama.

The other came from the Reach Out Ministries Saints, who routed the South Andros Police Enforcers 110-62 to secure the title as the federation returned the popular men’s B division to its status after a brief hiatus.

And in the ladies’ series, the Career Builders Cheetahs made sure that at least one of the titles stayed in New Providence as they swept aside the Lady Knights, completed the best-of-three series with a 49-39 victory in game two on Friday night.

Cruisers 82, Giants 78

Marvin Grey, named the most valuable player, canned a side high 24 points, including seven in the last minute, as the Grand Bahama Shipyard held on for the win in the championship game.

With one minute and 58 seconds left, Grey came up with a steal off Gamaliel Rose that he turned into a fast break lay-up for a 75-63 lead. With 33.0 left, Grey was fouled and converted a pair of free throws for a 78-70 advantage.

After hitting a jumper with 19 seconds on the clock for a 81-76 lead, Grey kept Grand Bahama ahead with one of his two foul shots in between a three-pointer from Rose (for an 81-79 deficit). Rose attempted another three-pointer, but it hit the rim and missed as time expired.

“It was a great game from start to finish,” Grey said. “We got into foul trouble early, but we held our composure and the veterans took over and led us to the victory tonight.”

While he had to fight through a series of double team defences placed on him, Grey said he knew he had the players behind him to get the job done.

“We went on the pick and roll and I was able to either get away to score or make the pass,” said Grey, who finished with three rebounds, three steals and two assists in 18 minutes and 35 seconds on the court.

“It’s good to finally get another championship victory. We haven’t won this in about six years. It feels great, even to do it in Nassau. It feels even better.”

Grey got a lot of help as Marco Cooper had a double-double with 14 points and as many rebounds. Jabbar Lightbourne assisted with 11 points and 10 rebounds, Antoinne Thompson had 10 points and five assists, Tamasio Dames had nine points and five rebounds and Amardo Hepburn chipped in with eight points.

Coach Barette said he was speechless after the victory. “Even though we only lost one game in Freeport during the season, we knew we were going to have a dog fight in Nassau,” he said. “It’s a good feeling to come here to win. We haven’t won it in a while, but we built this team to come here to win.”

Grand Bahama Shipyard’s Chief Financial Officer Mick Holding made the trip here to support the team. He and his wife joined the team in their champagne-popping celebrations as the Giants looked on in disbelief.

“It was a fantastic performance this year. I’m pleased that we came to Nassau and we won,” Holding said. “We played all over the country in Bimini, Marsh Harbour and Grand Bahama. But there’s nothing like coming to Nassau and beating the Nassau team. It was a fantastic win. I’m so proud of them.”

The Giants got a game high 28 points, 14 rebounds and four block shots from Gamaliel Rose in a losing effort. Jackson Jacob had 19 points, Jeffery Henfield 11 points, seven rebounds, Adrian Miller 10 points and Ricardo Pierre eight.

“Based on our physical condition, I was happy that the guys were able to stay in the game tonight,” said coach Perry Thompson, who missed the lopsided opening defeat due to the fact that he was off in Canada.

“I couldn’t ask for anything more. We knew we were challenged. Jeremy (Hutchinson) was basically playing with one hand, Jackson’s (Jacob) back seized up on him, so we were really stretched. The guys responded to the challenge. The ball just didn’t bounce in our court. The Shipyard are a good team. Hats off to them. They played much better than we did and they won.”

Rose, in playing well in spurts down the stretch, noted that they gave it their best shot. “These guys played like they wanted it more than us,” he said. “We had a lot of injuries. I feel if we had a more healthy team, it would have been a different story. But they won, so we have to give them the credit.”

The Giants took a 14-10 lead at the end of the first quarter, but the Cruisers surged ahead 37-32 at the half, thanks to a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Antoinne Lightbourne. The Cruisers stayed ahead 58-52 at the end of the third.

Saints 110,

Enforcers 62

This one was over from the first half as Reach Out Ministries didn’t have any mercy on the Police. After getting off to a slow 14-11 advantage at the end of the first quarter, the Saints turned up the heat in the second quarter, going on a 32-12 rout for an impressive 50-22 margin at the half-time break. It was just a matter of what the final score would be as Reach Out Ministries continued to build on their lead.

Keno Russell, the MVP, exploded for a game high 29 points with nine assists, three steals and two block shots to lead their attack. Kendrick Davis had 17 points and five rebounds, Denero Deide and Romain Gibson both had 14 points and Shackeel Butters (11 rebounds) and Lavar Rolle both added eight.

“We came from a long way. I think we executed very well,” Russell said. “It’s a good feeling to be the national champions.”

Coach Dudley Seide, in giving God thanks, said they had a long road in getting to the tournament, so it made the championship even sweeter.

“We had to hassle to get our tickets, hassle for our hotel, but to God be the glory,” he said. “The group of guys that I have assembled are from high school. I think they need to put more emphasis on the B league because it’s a feeder system for the A league.

“With this team, my focus is to teach them the game and hopefully help them to go off to college and to become productive young men in our society. We only lost one game all season. We’ve had a good year, blowing out everybody, so it was good to come here and do the same against South Andros. Hats off to the young men.”

Ronald Roker led the Police with 11 points and Aaron Rolle and John Woodside both scored nine apiece.