Lions edge Patriots on BABA First Division opening night

A thrilling first game at the Belfield courts ushered in the opening of the Barbados Amateur Basketball Association (BABA) First Division League competition with Kolij Lions defeating former league champions Patriots 42-41.

Glyne Harrison started the ball rolling for the Lions and was one of the main scorers for the side, finishing with nine points in the game. Lions led at the end of the first quarter 14-13 and Andrew Pilgrim, who had scored four points in the first, added another four in the second as his side piled on the points. Patriots, who had won the league two years ago, were in trouble at half-time, down 28-21, looking shell-shocked at the situation.

It was on the backs of Julian Walcott and Jehnard Brewster, who scored nine points and seven points respectively in the second half to rally their team back into contention for the win. Kolij had no answer for Walcott in the paint and Brewster on the wing, but it was a team effort that held Kolij to six points each in the third and fourth quarters. But in the end, Kolij were able to barely hold on to the slimmest of leads to take the game by one.

Brewster had a game-high 13 points for the Patriots with Walcott adding 11 and Neil Yearwood with nine in a losing effort. Kolij will be grateful for the early win against one of the better teams in the Grant and Garnes Zone. Andrew Pilgrim was the leading scorer for Kolij with 10 points, Harrison had nine and Rudo Catlyn contributed five points.

In the second matchup for the night, the home side Belfield was taken down by Pharmaceutical Plus Mayhill 50-39. At half-time, the score stood at 20-18 with Mayhill having a two-point advantage which they maintained through to the end of the third (32-30). Belfield fell flat in the final quarter, only mustering nine points which the opposition doubled to extend the lead and win the game convincingly by 18.

There will be three games played at the Jackson court today, starting from 5 p.m. Combined Schools Tridents will play against the home side senior team Pan American International Insurance Warrens Seniors in the first matchup. The second game will feature the always competitive Checker Hall Braves against the losing finalists from last year, Executive Air Dover Chargers at 6:30 p.m. The final battle is slated to be between Royals Sports Club and the Pan American International Insurance Warrens Juniors at 8 p.m. (AS)