A huge 31 points from power-forward Andrew Ifill put Detour Shak Attack one win away for copping the Men’s National Basketball Championship title after a 76-64 victory over Police on Sunday night at the Maloney Indoor Sports Arena. Shak Attack lead the best-in-three championships series, 1-0.
Ifill totally dominated down in post against Police six-feet towers of Dextroy Manswell, Phillip Alexander and Don Wilkinson. Combined with the help of Kurt “Cotto” Christian, the only other player to score in double-digits for the winner with 10, Shak Attack was aggressive from the jump.
The North-based team scored with ease, making good on the policemen’s extreme number of turnovers, to muster a 10-point (21-11) lead in the first quarter. However, the second stanza saw Police come alive offensively piloted by Manswell. He with the help of guard Adrian Joseph and forward Wesley Vincent led the grey and blue’s run, earning them a 36-33 advantage with the latter hitting a jumper at the halfway mark, to give his team the momentum going in at the end of the first half.
Play in the third remained relatively the same with both teams trading baskets. Shak Attack managed to reduce its deficit to two (53-51) heading in the fourth and final period.
As tormenting as he was on offence, Ifill was even more torturous on defense, antagonising Manswell so much so that he caused the Police scoring threat to be fouled out of the match with some four minutes to go in the match.
This worked in his favour as Ifill tallied a great number of his points off offensive rebounds, initiating a run by the Shak Attack team that saw them push ahead by five (59-54) but Joseph was on target from beyond the three-point arc and cut the lead back to two. Shak Attack went up again to take its lead to 67-61 but again Joseph trim that to three (67-64).
Play got wild in the final two minutes as both teams jostled to get the win. There were more fouls called than points scored. With seconds ticking away Andy best was infringed attempting a three-pointer and he closed out the win connecting all of his free throws.
Earlier, Valencia Heat did not leave empty-handed, topping Petro Jazz 86-75, to seal the third place thanks to 24 from Randy Greenidge while his teammates Kyeon Joseph and Wayne Richards added 15 and 10, respectively. Game two of the series final is on Thursday at the Jean Pierre Complex in Mucurapo from 7 pm.
Results
Police 64 (Dextroy Manswell 18, Adrian Joseph 11, Wesley Vincent 11, Phillip Alexander 9, Don Wilkinson 7) vs Detour Shak Attack 76 (Andrew Ifill 31, Kurt Christian 10, Kenyatta Alfred 9, Kern George 9, Andy Best 8). Quarter scores: 21-11 (Shak Attack), 36-33 (Police), 53-51 (Police).
Third place playoff
Valencia 86 (Randy Greenidge 24, Kyeon Joseph 15, Wayne Richards 10, Kevon Noreiga 9) vs Petro Jazz 75 (Ako Pascall 24, Kirk Baptiste 14, Asfa Grant 14, Damien Caton 9, Louie Davis 9). Quarter scores: 17-10 (Valencia), 37-31 (Valencia), 55-55.