The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

WITH the star player from each team sidelined for various reasons, game one of the GBSSAA Senior Boys Basketball championship has set the tone for what could be hard fought series that goes the distance.

The Tabernacle Falcons took an early series lead with a 51-41 win over the St. George’s Jaguars Wednesday night at the Jaguars’ home gymnasium in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Falcons star guard Franco Miller Jr is still on the mend from a leg injury, but junior national team member Desmond Butler filled the void to lead the Falcons to the win with a game high 13 points.

Junior national team member Devonte Jennings’ 11 points led the Jaguars, who were without leading scorer Howard Hinzey, sidelined for disciplinary reasons.

Jennings’ free throw was the final score of the first quarter before a 1:30 min scoreless stretch for both teams and the Falcons led 12-11 after one.

 The Falcons opened up the second on a 7-0 run, capped by Butler’s fastbreak layup for a 19-11 lead. They eventually took a 25-19 lead into the half.

The Jaguars trimmed the lead to just four in the opening moments of the third, but the Falcons would regain control and took a 35-26 lead into the fourth. They led by as much as 15 in the fourth quarter en route to the game one win.

Falcons head coach Kevin Clarke credited his team’s perimeter defence and ability to adjust without Miller.

We defended the three ball well. St George’s has guards that can shoot, but we closed out well and made them put the ball on the floor. As long as we are playing good defence we have chance,” Clarke said.

“We’ll have him [Miller] back for the Hugh Campbell and Nationals but without him the team is growing together and that will only help moving forward.”

Game two takes place Friday at 6:30 pm also and game three, if necessary, will be played on Monday.

The teams have traded results all season long in previous marquee matchups with the Jaguars defeating the Falcons in the Mary Star of the Sea Crusaders’ Christmas Invitational  while the Falcons followed with a win over the Jaguars in the Senior Boys Tip-Off Classic title game.

Both teams also participated in the Sand Between Your Toes Showcase in New Providence back in November.

On their path to the championship series the Falcons defeated the Eight Mile Rock Blue Jays, while the Jaguars dethroned the two time defending GBSSAA champions Sunland Stingers.