The Tribune

By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

WITH the Bahamas Government Departmental Basketball Association (BGDBA) season winding down, the undefeated Bain and Grants Town Cybots dropped the Police Crimestoppers 88-81 this past weekend.

Both teams came into Saturday’s game at AF Adderley Gymnasium unblemished in the loss column, looking to gain the advantage ahead of the looming postseason. The sixth-seeded Airport Authority Avengers also handed a loss to the 1-10 Customs Taxmen.

Cybots vs Crimestoppers

On Saturday night, the Cybots and Crimestoppers had identical 10-0 win/loss records for the season. The game started out evenly matched between both squads from the opening tip, with no team giving an edge early on. At the halfway mark of the opening quarter, the score was 5-4 favouring the Cybots following a two-pointer by Cordero Pinder. The first period of play ended with the score tied 20-20 going into the second quarter.

The Cybots’ Georgio Walkes got the second quarter started with a quick steal followed by a three-pointer to create separation between the teams. With the clock at the 5:43 mark, Keithan Gray converted on a three-pointer to lift the Cybots to a 10-point lead.

The Bain and Grants town team was able to take advantage in the second period and went into the second half up by 12 points (46-34).

Able Joseph, of the Cybots, was instrumental in the team’s win on Saturday. He led both teams in scoring with 25 points on the night on a scorching 65% shooting clip. Joseph also grabbed down 10 boards with six coming on the defensive end and four on the offensive end.

Pinder and Walkes also complemented Joseph’s efforts on offence. Pinder put up 12 points to pair with five rebounds and six made free throws.

Meanwhile, Walkes ended his night with 14 points alongside six rebounds and three steals.

In the second half, the Cybots remained in the driver’s seat with all cylinders turning on offence and defence. The team culminated the third quarter up by 9 points (64-55).

Michael Furley Bain Jr led the charge for the second-seeded Crimestoppers.

Despite the team coming up short, he scored a team-high 23 points to go with five rebounds and nine free throws.

In the final period of play, the Crimestoppers narrowed the Cybots lead down to as little as seven points. Following a timely jumpshot by Batchlette Lafleur, the score was 86-79 with 0.29 seconds remaining in the ball game.

However, Cybots’ Brian Bain converted on back-to-back free throws to ice the game and seal the win for the BGDBA’s leading team.

Sonny Miller, a Cybots player, talked about the big win as the regular season comes to an end.

“For us it was a very good game and one we had circled on the schedule because we know whenever we meet them, they are well coached and prepared so we use that game as a measuring stick to see how ready we really are because our goal is to win it all,” Miller said.

With the final BGDBA regular season games to be played tonight, Miller gave insight into the team’s mindset ahead of the playoffs.

“We are going after what we lost last year for the first time in four years and that is the championship that the Panthers are holding onto now,” he said.

The Cybots player added that the team is putting in the necessary work and are not taking any team for granted. The ultimate goal is to be the first team to reach nine wins.

Taxmen vs Avengers

The sixth-seeded Avengers claimed a win against the Taxmen 87-76. The Avengers obliterated the Taxmen in the rebounding category. The team collectively grabbed 61 rebounds compared to 39. Avengers were also active at free throws where they converted 17/24 on 71% shooting. Rus-Shon Strachan powered his way to a game-high 26 points and nine rebounds.

The final games of the BGDBA season will feature the Police Royals against the Bahamas Department of Corrections Challengers.

Also, Avengers will face Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Rampage. The games begin at 7pm.