The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Government Secondary Schools Sports Association saw several teams advance to the championship round while others forced a third and deciding game.

In the Junior Boys’ division, the CH Reeves Raptors completed a two-game sweep over the SC McPherson Sharks, while in the Junior Girls the Sharks suffered another loss and were unable to close out the TA Thompson Scorpions yesterday at the AF Adderley Gymnasium.

The Scorpions evened the series and forced a third and deciding game with a 30-21 win over the SC McPherson Sharks.

The Scorpions raced out to an early 12-2 lead to take a 20-8 advantage into the half. In the second half the Scorpions never led by less than eight in the second half.

The TA Thompson offence recovered from a lacklustre performance in game one where they managed just four of five field goals in a 25-14 loss.

The winner will advance to take on the perennial champions HO Nash Lions who defeated the Raptors in a two-game sweep.

In Junior Boys’ play, the Raptors pulled away late to close out the series.

Marley Major led the Raptors with nine points and Glenroy Howard chipped in with six. Gikobe Moss led the Sharks with five. The pace of the first quarter set the tone for much of what would follow over the course of the game. After a series of turnovers and missed free throws, Davon Taylor finally made the game’s first field goal with 2:43 left to play in the quarter.

The Sharks went on to take a 9-8 lead after one.

The Raptors scored on the opening possession and forced turnovers on four straight possessions but failed to take advantage to extend their lead. Tied at 11 and Raptors took lead on Jayden Farrington follow. Charlot St. Juste made a corner three, the first jumper of the game. and gave Raptors an 18-13 lead before they tacked on a late free throw for a 19-13 at the half.

In the third, both teams struggled offensively out of the break and went scoreless for two minutes before the first score of the period. Major’s layup, gave the Raptors a 21-13 lead and the teams traded baskets over the next few possessions before the third quarter ended 25-19.

Howard made a midrange jumper to late in the fourth with 2:34 left to play and gave the Raptors their first double digit advantage, 31-21.

In game one, the Raptors outlasted the Sharks 35-34.They will advance to face the defending champion DW Davis Royals who advanced with a two game sweep over the TA Thompson Scorpions.

A power cut brought the action to a halt before the match ups in the senior divisions with the CI Gibson Rattlers fielding teams in both divisions looking to close out their respective series. In Senior Girls play, the Rattlers will face the CV Bethel Stingrays and in Senior Boys the Rattlers face the Anatol Rodgers T’Wolves.

The Mystic Marlins Senior Girls are the only team in the division to advance thus far.