Kings crowned LABA U-21 Champs
Kings were crowned the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) Under-21 Champions Friday night after narrowly escaping a fourth quarter blitz from the Victory Valley Royals at the Mackenzie Sports Club court.
Kings eventually prevailed 63-60, after taking a 52-39 points’ lead at the end of the third quarter.
Royals scored 21 points in their final quarter to give Kings a scare, and threaten for the title that eventually eluded them in the closing seconds.
Kings had taken a 15-14 lead after the first quarter but Royals reversed that at the end of the second period with a 32-30 point lead, before their offence collapsed in the second-to-last period, which gave Kings the psychological advantage.
Horace Gurrick scored17 points for Kings with national junior shooting guard, Orin Rose adding 14 points.
Quincy Easton and Jermain Johnson continued the strong offensive line up for Kings with contributions worth10 and 12 points each.
Marlon Pollydore had a superb last gasp that landed him 26 points as Marvin Russel and shooting guard Chris Williams scoring 15 and12 points. At the end, Easton was adjudged the Most Valuable Player and received $5000 as a result.
Retrieve Raiders defeated Bulls 49-45 to take third place in the tournament. Jeffery Larose had 15 and Devon Gittens 12 points for Raiders while Travis black scored 13 and Michael turner 10 points for Bulls in the game.
Sheldon Noel was awarded MVP of the tournament while the winners received the Clifton Brusche trophy. The LABA sponsored the other prizes.
