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Ravens fall short in Kreyol Basketball Festival Final in Dominica
Ravens Basketball club at the Kreyol Basketball Festival in Dominica.
Kaieteur Sports – The Ravens Basketball Club’s spirited run at the Kreyol Basketball Festival came to a heartbreaking end on Sunday night, as the Guyanese side fell 87-73 to a well-drilled GCB team from Guadeloupe in the Northern Division championship game.
After an impressive start to the tournament, including back-to-back wins against Dominica’s DTread Blazers and the USR Basketball Club, the Ravens entered the final brimming with confidence. But despite a gutsy performance, they ultimately couldn’t overcome the experience and discipline of GCB.
From the opening tip, the Ravens signaled their intent to play fast and aggressive basketball, attacking the paint relentlessly.
Coach Marlon Rodrigues emphasized defensive awareness throughout, warning his team of GCB’s constant off-ball movement.
The first quarter was tightly contested, ending 29-26 in favour of GCB. Guard Shamaar Huntley led the early charge with a flurry of buckets en route to a team-high 23 points, while Nicholai Smith added 11.
In the second quarter, the Ravens ramped up their defensive pressure and found a rhythm offensively. Huntley scored nine points in the period, helping the Ravens outscore GCB 20-9.
But the momentum was interrupted when Huntley left the game with a lower leg injury late in the quarter. Still, the Ravens took a promising 46-38 lead into halftime.
The second half, however, saw a dramatic shift. GCB returned with renewed energy, executing their offensive sets with precision and punishing the Ravens for every defensive lapse.
With early foul trouble limiting key Ravens players, the French side flipped the script and grabbed a seven-point lead in the third.
Huntley made a courageous return to the court, sparking a brief Ravens rally that cut the deficit to 64-62 heading into the final quarter. But in the fourth, GCB pulled away for good.
Staying composed and clinical, the Guadeloupeans launched a 23-11 run that closed out the contest and secured their spot in the prestigious “King of Kings Tournament” this August in Guadeloupe.
Huntley’s 23-point performance came on 8-of-17 shooting from the field and 7-of-14 from the line. Smith and Domonic Vincente each added 11 points, while veteran forward Ryan Gullen chipped in with 10, shooting an efficient 4-of-6 from the floor, including two three-pointers.
Despite the loss, Coach Rodrigues lauded his team’s composure and commitment throughout their Dominica campaign.
Ravens also extended gratitude to their sponsors, Onyx Engineering Inc., TechPro Guyana, Republic Bank, President Irfaan Ali, FireSide Grill, Continental Transportation, Shady Car Rentals, and Symmetry Brokerage and Logistics Services Inc, for supporting their journey.
- Dominica, Guyana basketball, Kreyol Basketball, Onyx Engineering Inc., Ravens Basketball Club, Republic Bank, TechPro Guyana
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