The Tribune

THE New Providence Basketball Association tipped off its 2019-20 season Saturday night at the AF Adderley Gymnasium with a championship rematch in Division II.

The Your Essential Store Giants began the 2019-20 season the way they hoped last season would have ended and got the better in the latest chapter of their rivalry with the Breezes High Flyers.

The Giants emerged with a lopsided 73-52 win on opening night behind a balanced scoring attack that produced just two players in double figures.

Dylan Musgrove led the Giants with 11 points while Michael Turnquest scored 10. Anderias Black finished with nine points, Cormardo Seymour and Alvano Miller each finished with eight points while James Vil stuffed the stat sheet with seven points, seven rebounds and four steals.

Troy Trembley led the High Flyers and all scorers with 12 points and a game high 16 rebounds.

Brandon Stubbs and Shaquille Outten each scored 12 points while Jamal Simon had eight points and 12 rebounds.

The High Flyers took an early five-point lead in the first quarter, but Turnquest would tie the game at 11 with his three pointer with just over two minutes left to play in the period.The Giants would continue that momentum and closed the first on a 10-2 run, capped by a late layup from Miller for an 18-13 lead.

The Giants limited the High Flyers to just six points in the second quarter as they separated themselves for good. The lead reached double figures for the first time when Miller made a jumper for a 24-13 advantage. Simon made a pair of free throws late for the High Flyers, but the Giants took a 29-19 lead into the half. YES held a 44-33 scoring advantage in the second half as the lead reached as much as 24.

The Giants shot just 38 per cent from the floor, but limited the High Flyers to just 25 per cent. Of their 31 field goals, 20 came off assists and they also dominated points in the paint (52-28). The Giants also dominated points off turnovers (32-12) and bench points (44-15).

At the conclusion of the 2018-19 season, the two teams went the distance before Breezes emerged with a 91-78 win in the seventh and deciding game of the championship series.

The Giants opened the series with a 98-95 win in game one before the High Flyers tied the series 108-101 in game two and took a 2-1 advantage with an 89-77 win in game three.

The Giants evened the series with an 89-86 game four win.

The High Flyers regained the series lead 111-102 in game five before the Giants forced game seven with the most decisive win of the series 92-65.

This year will be the first in the administration of new NPBA president James Price, who won the election back in April.

Price’s executive board will comprise of all members of his ‘Team Next Level’ that includes first vice president Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson, second vice president Donnie Culmer, third vice president Kevin ‘Island’ McPhee, fourth vice president Ryan ‘Rat’ Turnquest, secretary Rhondia Johnson, treasurer Sophia Hunter, assistant treasurer Perry Thompson, commissioner Anthony ‘Cops’ Rolle, assistant commissioner Terrance ‘Red Eye’ McSweeney and public relations officer Moses Johnson.

“To our sponsors, we appreciate what they are doing for this league. I would like to thank UB for the condition of the gym,” Price said. “My team “Next Level” has done a job well done and as we move on, we want this to be the start and we want things to grow further than it’s growing now. I want to thank all the players, fans, coaches because without you there is no basketball, without you there is no NPBA.”

Bahamas Basketball Federation president Mario Bowleg also addressed the crowd prior to tipoff.

“When we approach the game with a positive mental attitude and we treat each other with a high degree of respect, even though we are opponents on the court. It is imperative to understand that we are fellow men off the court. We learn how to win and lose but when we learn how to compete, shake hands and still be friends. This is very important, so don’t always take it so personally, but live in the moment and learn to enjoy the gifts we all have been blessed with and that’s to play the game.

“We must be our brother’s keeper, this basketball is a fraternity, fans, coaches, officials, we must also contribute to the pleasant wholesome environment that the whole family may feel comfortable in so the friends we make on the court can carry over when we leave the court,” he said.

“Be competitive as you must to win but maintain a good relationship for life after when the ball stops bouncing. These are some of the simple things, we need a better community, a better country and a better world.”