The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHILE the league leading Commonwealth Bank Giants swept their way into the second round of the New Providence Basketball Association’s best-of-three playoffs, the defending champions PJ Stingers will have to play a deciding game to determine their fate.

On Monday night at the AF Adderley Gymnasium, the Giants eliminated the Pyramid Food Rockets with a 75-64 victory to complete their series in the john Archer Division. The Stingers, however, dropped a 93-90 decision to Athletico Bahamas to even their series at 1-1.

Giants 75,

Rockets 64

Jeffrey Henfield came off the bench and made his contribution in leading a balanced scoring attack for Commonwealth Bank. Playing 20 minutes and 20 seconds, Henfield came up with 18 points as he connected on 6-for-18 shots from the field, 4-for-10 from behind the three-point arch and 2-for-2 from the free throw line. He also had eight rebounds.

Michael ‘Furly’ Bain Jr had 14 points, five rebounds and four assists, Tehran Cox had 10 points, eight rebounds and three assists, Robson Memnon added eight points with 15 rebounds, Lyndrick Storr had eight points as well and Samuel Johnson chipped in with seven points.

After falling behind 18-14 at the end of the first quarter and 35-32 at the half, the Giants turned things around in the second half. They went up 54-50 to close out the third and outscored the Rockets 21-14 in the fourth to secure the win.

Commonwealth Bank had a 61-52 advantage in rebounds and they made two less turnovers with 18, compared to 20 by Pyramid Food.

Athletico 93,

Stingers 90

Right at the buzzer, Cameron Adderley hit the biggest shot of the season to help keep their playoff hopes alive. Adderley’s three-pointer broke a 90-90 tie and evened their series at 1-1. Adderley finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds and four assists.

Arthletico Bahamas had taken a slight 90-89 lead as Able Joseph canned a jumper with 24 seconds on the clock, but Shakwon Lewis hit the first of two free throws on the next play to even the score that remained that way until Adderley’s winning basket.

With just seven players in uniform, Athletico Bahamas rode the impressive game high 35-point performance from Lewis before Adderley’s heroics. Playing the entire 40 minutes, Lewis also had eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals. He was 8-for-20 from the field, 3-for-8 from the three-point line and 16-for-19 from the free throw line.

Dylan Musgrove also had 20 points with 10 rebounds and four assists and Jeron Smith had eight points and five rebounds.

Despite the loss, Joseph had another monster game with a triple double, scoring 31 points with 14 rebounds and 10 assists for the Stingers.

Kendrick Curry had 14 points and five rebounds, Vernon Stubbs had 10 points and 10 rebounds with three assists and Randy Williams came off the bench and added 10 points with six rebounds.

Athletico led from the start of the game, taking a 24-20 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 41-36 at the half. They used a 19-17 spurt in the third to increase it to 60-53. PJ’s rallied in the fourth on a 37-33 tear to close in on the final score.

The Stingers had a 55-52 advantage on the boards, but both teams had the same number of turnovers with 21.

The playoffs are scheduled to continue tonight with the Vince Ferguson Division. In the 7:30pm opener, the College of the Bahamas Caribs take on Mr Ship It Freight Regulators and at 9pm, the Real Deal Shockers face the Mail Boat Cybots. The Regulators and Shockers both hold 1-0 leads in their series.