Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 02, 2013 Sports
By Edison Jefford
Two old basketball foes will enrich a pre-existing rivalry tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in what is certainly a long-overdue contest among Guyana’s most formidable basketball-playing towns.
Linden play Georgetown at two levels tonight beginning at 7pm when the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) officially announces its 2013 Season. The sub-association had challenged Linden to the contest.
Linden’s Under-19 team will take on Georgetown in the opening game while the senior players collide in an epic battle in the feature showdown. Both sub-associations are under new leadership and are looking to advance their respective programmes.
As a result, they pleaded for support to return interest in the sport when the event was launched a week ago at the New Palm Court, which along with Mackeson is the main sponsor of tonight’s game.
While the rift is ripe among the two top basketball-playing communities in Guyana, the effort is one to ensure that quality basketball is generated as well. It simply means that if you are a basketball enthusiast, tonight is the perfect opportunity to gauge the level of local basketball, giving more reason to offer support.
Georgetown has home-court advantage, but Linden has signalled an intention to take the battle to Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Court in a return fixture.
But for that to happen, it must prove that it is worth engaging Georgetown again with a strong performance tonight. Both teams are noticeably in transition, which makes the game even more interesting. With lots of the older players out of contention for selection, both senior teams from Linden and Georgetown are boasting a unique blend of youth and experience, fundamental and flare.
For Linden, former national senior captain and shooting guard, Steve Neils Jr. will spearhead the challenge. Neils has loads of experience. His senior support will come from Neil Marks, a lanky forward that takes a high percentage of shots and Marvin Hartman, another tall forward. Both players, along with Shane Webster, will give Linden the presence they will be looking for in the paint.
It would appear as though Linden is understaffed in the guard positions, but elevated former national junior guards, Marlon Pollydore and Chris Williams have proven that they can hold their own on the big stage.
Linden is noted for its high levels of camaraderie, team-spirit and fitness. The team works hard and their pride as a prominent sports-oriented community is always at its maximum, which often makes them very competitive.
Georgetown after facing Linden with mixed fortunes for so many years will be aware of all those facts. Forwards Royston Siland and Ryan Gullen and guards Stephon Gillis and Rodwell Fortune are among the senior nationals for Georgetown.
Akeem Kanhai and his youthful counterparts, Shelroy Thomas and Marlon Chesney give a clear indication of a team aiming for efficiency on both ends of the floor. There is no doubt that these players will be providing some entertaining basketball.
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
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