The Kashif and Shanghai Kings successfully defended their Trophy Stall Regulation Open basketball title by defeating Ameila Ward Jets 66-60 in the final of the tournament on Sunday at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.
After looking wobbly in the group stage of the tournament, and scraping their way to the final four, the Kings overcame yet another hurdle in their quest to keep their title although they were out-rebounded 20-38 by the Jets.
However, the Kings shooting from downtown eradicated their inability to clean the glass during the game.
The inside-out game of the Kings allowed them to dominate the game from beyond the arc while the Jets played horrible perimeter defense on the guards of the Kings.
After the first half ended 38-33 in favour of the Kings, it was much of the same story for the Kings as they ended the third quarter ahead 56-49.
The final period had a bit of drama as the Jets held the Kings to three points for most of the period as they went on an 11-3 run. However, they had some turnovers that got the Kings to the stripe and that eventually secured them the win.
Steve Neils Jr was an artist with his three-point shooting and play-making ability, dropping a game-high 21 points and nine assists.
Omally Sampson, who was named Most Valuable Player, grabbed 11 boards for the Kings and scored 13 points in the win. Orin Rose had 15 points, while Marvin Hartman had 12 to contribute to the title defense.
Kevin Joseph was the sharp shooter for the Jets with 18 points, while Shane Webster, who was named the defensive player of the tournament, had 13 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three blocks. Allister Webster also picked up a double-double in the loss with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Bankers Trust Falcons finished third in the tournament due to the Retrieve Raiders forfeiting the game because of the suspension of Dwayne “Brown Sugar” Roberts, who was banned for six years due to an altercation with a referee and alleged threats issued towards a Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) official.
However, the Falcons featured in an earlier game against the Half Mile Bulls, which they lost 64-51.
At the presentation ceremony held immediately after the tournament, the three top teams received their prizes from the Organising Secretary of the LABA Ashton Angel Jr. The Most Disciplined team award went to the Block 22 Flames.
