The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

The cross matchups between public and private schools continued to headline the early rounds of the 33rd Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic.

RM Bailey Pacers - 46

Mt Carmel Cavaliers - 39

THE Pacers used an 8-0 run in the third quarter to take control of the game for good and used a late rally to fend off the Cavs in yesterday’s opener.

Richard Kemp led the Pacers with 15 points, five rebounds and five steals, Stephon Augustine added six points, seven rebounds and four steals while Deangelo Bain finished with 11 points.

Jehoshaphat Cooper led the Cavs with 18 points, five rebounds and four steals. Preston Ferguson scored 10 and grabbed eight rebounds.

Mt Carmel trailed by as much as 12 midway through the fourth quarter but chipped their way back into the game with an 8-0 run after trailing by as much as 12. When a Ferguson basket cut the lead to four, Bain put an end to that run with consecutive scores to swing the momentum back in the Pacers favour.

The Cavs came out aggressive in the first quarter, scored on the opening tip and managed to maintain the lead for the entire period. Cooper made a late three pointer to give them a 9-5 lead at the end of the first.

In the second Augustine checked in and completely changed the complexion of the game. The Pacers went on a 6-0 run to take the lead, fuelled by two assists and a layup from the versatile wing. Both teams traded baskets for much of the quarter and they took a 19 all tie into the half.

The Pacers’ size advantage with Samuel Dean and Augustine began to show in the third quarter as they took control. Augustine came up with a chasedown block that led to a run-out and fastbreak layup for Kemp to give the Pacers a 33-25 lead. Cooper made a three late in the quarter but Bain answered with one of his own on the ensuing possession. Bain’s three gave the Pacers a 38-28 lead headed into the fourth.

RM Bailey will go on to face the Sunland Stingers 4pm Thursday, while the Cavs will await their opponent in the other half of the bracket.

CR Walker Knights - 38

Akephran Scarabs - 30

THE Scarabs were completely overmatched by the size of Cormado Seymour in the interior as the bigman dominated both ends of the floor for the Knights.

Seymour finished with 22 points and 16 rebounds in the win. He shot 8-14 from the field and was also 6-8 from the free throw line. Tyeko Lowe was the only other Knights player to reach double figures with 10.

Nakyle Rolle scored a team high nine while Gerrand Davis, Amos Rolle and Alton Burrows each finished with six for the Scarabs.

Akhepran took an early 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter when Rolle and Davis scored on layups.

The second quarter saw a complete turnaround with the Knights charging back on a 12-1 run. Lowe’s back-to-back three pointers gave the Knights a 19-11 lead, but Akhepran stuck around and trailed just 21-17 at the half.

The Knights led 28-22 early in the fourth, but Davis made a three pointer to pull his team within a single posession.

Seymour came alive on the offensive end and responded with a three-point play and a putback on consecutive possessions.

He would score the final 10 points of the game for the Knights as they advanced to the winner’s bracket.

CR Walker play again 9pm Thursday when they face the winner of the CV Bethel vs St Paul’s matchup.

• Results of the evening finale between the CI Gibson Rattlers and the Temple Christian Suns was unavailable to press time.