Hawks back in winners’ circle

The Hawks remained perfect and unbeaten in the Barbados Amateur Basketball Association First Division League competition after defeating Challengers Sports Club Juniors 59-55. It was their first league game since their first defeat of the season at the hands of Cougars in the semi-finals of the Knockout competition.

 

Though the Hawks took the victory, it was a low scoring game for them. Shaquan Newton got them off to a good start with 8 of his team’s 14 points in the first quarter. Newton went on to score 12 in the game. The recent loss seemed to have an effect on the usually resilient Hawks and Challengers mounted a tough second quarter of basketball to keep the game within reach at the half time whistle. Only two points separated the teams at the half with Hawks having the advantage 31-28.

 

Not much separated them in the third quarter but Tremaine Shaw was having his best game of the season. He confidently attacked the hoop and shot well from the field on his way to a game high 29 points. With Shaw scoring at will, Challengers needed a team effort to counter him. Ramon Ward, Adrian Fowler and Mark Leacock combined in the third and fourth in the attempt to stick with the Hawks. At the end of the third, they had succeeded and went into the last period tied at 46 all.

 

Unfortunately, a poor showing in the fourth where they could not muster double digits lost Challengers the game. Shaw alone outscored the opponents, scoring ten of team’s last 13 points in the match. It was a good  effort on the night by Challengers against the top team in the Northern Zone, but Hawks will be a more focused side as they look to take the crown in the League competition.

Ward finished with 11 points for Challengers while Fowler added 8 and Leacock and Julian Grant 6 apiece. Damien Redman was the other main scorer for the Hawks with 10 points. (AS)