Trophy Stall-sponsored LABA League tips off tonight…Raiders face Flames, Royals contest Bulls

The highly-anticipated Trophy Stall-sponsored Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) League bounces off tonight at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Court with defending champions, Victory Valley Royals headlining a double-header scheduled for the night.
Royals will play Half Mile Bulls while Retrieve Raiders face Block 22 Flames in the first game, which follows an Opening Ceremony. According to a LABA release, several officials from those relevant stakeholders are expected to grace the opening with their presence.
“The participating teams will all gather for an Opening Ceremony with sponsor, Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall, Regional Chairman, Sharma Solomon, IMC Chairman of the Mayor and Town Council, Orin Gordon, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, Steve Ninvalle and LABA Officials expected to make remarks,” the release said.
Royals have been one of Linden’s most consistent teams over the past year after having reached the finals of the Brusche’s Basketball Classic, which they lost to Georgetown’s Pacesetters after a gruelling contest at the MSC.
Their primary scorer, Chris Williams seems to be having one of his best days on the court as he continues to display his marksman-like shooting from beyond the arc while developing his ball handling skills to evade smothering defenders, the release added.
Williams, during the LABA Under-23 tournament, scored a career high 77 points in a clash with the Kashif and Shanghai Kings, staking his claim as one the country’s best guards. Royals were, however, beaten in the finals against Retrieve Raiders in that tournament.
During the run in the Brusche’s Classic, which had heralded the return of competitive basketball in Linden since the facility at the MSC was closed to facilitate refurbishment, Williams, junior national point guard, Marlon Pollydore and forward, Orlan Glasgow were the three players who have been the rock of the Royals.
Bulls, like most other teams competing in the League, will have mostly youths at their core, most of whom are all eager to show-off their skills.
National player, Neil Marks will lead a new-look Raiders team that has the likes of former junior national players, Geoffrey La Rose; Dwight McKinnon and Sheldon Noel on its roster against a usually competitive Block Flames 22 team.
The release coming out of Linden noted that the announcement of the League and opening of the 2012 basketball season have been greeted with positive response from the LABA affiliated clubs and players alike, all of whom are anxious for the return of competitive basketball.
Following is the fixture which is subject to change depending on the flow of Mashramani activities in the Bauxite Mining Town.
Teams            Date            Time
Flames vs Raiders    Fri 27.01.2012        18.30hrs
Royals vs Bulls    Fri 27.01.2012        20.30hrs
Flames vs Pistons    Sat 28.01.2012    18.30hrs
Kings vs Jets        Sat 28.01.2012    20.30hrs
Bulls vs Jets        Sun 29.01.2012    18.30hrs
Pistons vs Kings    Sun 29.01.2012     20.30hrs
Jets vs Royals        Wed 01.02.2012    18.30hrs
Raiders vs Kings    Wed 01.02.2012     20.30hrs
Kings vs Bulls        Fri 03.02.2012        18.30hrs
Raiders vs Pistons    Fri 03.02.2012        20.30hrs
Pistons vs Bulls    Sun 05.02.2012    18.30hrs
Raiders vs Royals    Sun 05.02.2012     20.30hrs
Flames vs Bulls    Wed 08.02.2012    18.30hrs
Kings vs Flames    Wed 08.02.2012    20.30hrs
Pistons vs Royals    Fri 10.02.2012        18.30hrs
Jets vs Flames        Fri 10.02.2012        20.30hrs
Royals vs Flames    Sat 11.02.2012    18.30hrs
Raiders vs Jets        Sat 11.02.2012    20.30hrs
Bulls vs Raiders    Sun 12.02.2012    18.30hrs