The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

After losing the first game of the series, the TA Thompson Scorpions completed the backdoor sweep to dethrone the HO Lions as Government Secondary School Sports Association junior girls basketball champions.

Adriana Webster posted an incredible stat line as the Scorpions clinched the 2019 title with a 55-44 win over the HO Nash Lions yesterday at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

Webster finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds, nine steals and six assists as the Scorpions won the series 2-1. TA Thompson received key contributions from each member of the starting unit - Nathalya Lightbourne tied for a game high 20 points, Dominiqua Rolle scored eight, while Tania Kerr had eight points and 12 rebounds.

Lightbourne was named the series MVP.

Jonique Cunningham led the Lions with 20 points and nine rebounds, Geraniqua Bethel had 14 points and 11 rebounds and Elysa Gordon scored six.

Last year’s series was also decided in three games and when the Lions eventually claimed their third consecutive title.

Scorpions head coach Donnavette Scavella said the effort on the defensive end was the deciding factor this time around.

Determined

“We played lockdown defence, that was the difference in this game. The girls came out determined and they executed,” she said, “I have some seventh and eighth graders coming back so we look to be right back here again next year.”

Tied at four early the Scorpions took a 9-4 lead and led 11-8 at the end of the first.

The Scorpions separated themselves with a run in the second. They got a layup from Webster, two baskets from Azaria Belotto, and a layup from Rolle to take their first double digit lead of the series, 19-8 at the 2:43 mark in the quarter. Gordon made a pair of free throws from the Lions to stop the run.

Webster dished with another assist to Belotto who got behind defence for a fastbreak layup to take a 24-10 lead. Lightbourne’s floater capped an explosive quarter for the Scorpions where they outscored the Lions 18-4 and they took a 29-12 lead at the half.

The Scorpions continued to build on the lead and Lightbourne scored the first basket of the third on the opening possession. TA Thompson quickly reeled off nine points capped by a Webster three pointer, for a 38-12 score.

The Lions staged a late fourth quarter rally but it was too little too late as the 26 point second half lead proved to be too much to overcome.

The Scorpions finished the regular season at 7-0. After a two game sweep of the CH Reeves Raptors in the semifinals, they lost their first game of the season to the Lions in game one of the championship, 43-28. The Scorpions rebounded to outlast the Lions 50-46 in game two.