Latest update May 13th, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 15, 2012 Sports
By Edison Jefford
The bird raven, from which local basketball club, Ravens, has taken its name, is omnivorous that in Latin means “all eating” or “to devour”, which is exactly what the club has done with its lesser opponents time and time again on the basketball landscape of Guyana.
One of the fundamental differences between Ravens and its long-time nemesis, Pacesetters is the fact that Ravens do not slacken their game against underdog teams; you can expect Pacesetters to drop a few games against lesser opponents, but not Ravens.
On Sunday, there will be no Ravens versus Pacesetters clash for a Division I title in Georgetown, as basketball pundits and enthusiast are so used to seeing, rather, it will be Ravens taking on the Republic Bank Nets in what can become a lopsided contest.
Ravens hardly ever make mistakes against opponents they know they can advantage with what is clear evidence of superior depth and skill. Its only opponent is sometimes the psychology that tells the team it will win even if they goof around somewhat.
But even if it errs, Ravens has ensured over the past years that it is in contention of titles few and many with no exceptions allowed. Nets face its biggest challenge since becoming a Division I component and playing in its first championship game.
Just as Nets defeated Pacesetters, Ravens did not spare the number two ranked Georgetown Club when they met in the semis of the Phillip George Legacy Basketball Championship; the dynamic means that there is an emergence of new forces in local basketball.
Ravens are a seriously deep team with an interesting mixture of vast experience and youthful skill that makes them excellent in transition offense. The speed of Ryan ‘Cocaine’ Stephney, Stephon ‘Penny’ Henry, Rodwell ‘Kobe’ Fortune, and Akeem ‘The Dream’ Kanhai will be the consistent bother for Nets throughout the title game.
Stephney, Kanhai, and the jump-shooting forwards, Ryan Gullen and Jermaine Slater became the 2012 Mackeson Smooth Moves 3-on-3 Basketball Challenge champs approximately two months ago defeating teams from across Guyana to win $1M in cash as the top prize.
The point is Ravens is more than savage in devouring opponents; it’s a savvy and knowledgeable outfit that former national point guard, Darcel Harris competently coaches. It’s no surprise that in order for Nets to claim its first Division I title, it must beat the best team in the country. Whether, or not, it possess the arsenal to do so is yet to be seen.
What is certain is that Ravens would be no ordinary bird Sunday night. It will seek to escape the Nets in a manner that closes the year with the public and personal assurance that they are the best team in Georgetown and by extension Guyana’s 83,000 square miles.
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