LABA/104.3 Power FM B’ball Semis ….Bulls and Raiders Halt Jets and Royals to Advance

Feb 24, 2016 Sports

They played true to form and prevailed to set the stage for one of the most anticipated final’s in recent times as the number one ranked Half Mile Bulls stopped third seed Victory Valley Royals 71-65 and the second ranked Retrieve Raiders edged out fourth ranked Amelia’s Ward Jets in semifinal action of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association’s 104.3 Power FM Mash Open basketball semifinals at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court last Saturday.
The Bulls played like the number one ranked as they turned back the challenge of the Royals, their leading players taking them to another solid victory against a Royal’s side that simply could not match the drive of the Bulls.
The first quarter saw the Royals taking a 13-12 lead but the Bulls were able to take claw their way back as they held the edge at half time 31-26, national players Michael Turner and Terron Welch showing their class with good support from inside man Travin Dryden.
In the third quarter the Royals looked encouraging as they were in the game with the Bulls nudging ahead by a single point, 49-48.
But the Bulls as they have done in recent times showed their class and romped home eventually through the running game as Turner poured in 22 points, Welch tipped in 21 and Dryden returning to the sport after an injury contributed 10.
The best shots for the Royals were the consistent Harold Adams with a game high 29 points, Nevin Glenn added eight.
In the second game the Raiders were able to carve out a win mainly through the inspirational play of power forward Dwayne ‘Brown Sugar’ Roberts who had 22 points, leading at every interval, 14-11, 20-16, 32-27, 49-48.
It was a game that must be viewed as a test for the Raiders and with the final set for Saturday. They must know the areas of concern they should address before taking on the up-tempo Bulls.
The final will be preceded by the third place playoff game between the Royals and the Jets.