Orange 3 Pinelands Champions Again

The Orange 3 Pinelands claimed their second title in three years in convincing fashion, defeating the Station Hill Cavaliers 78-67 and rounding out the Co-operators General Insurance Barbados Amateur Basketball Association Premier Division Finals series three games to one.

 

It was keenly contested battle where neither team was able to show any dominance over the other throughout the game. The first few minutes of the game showed that players from both teams had a case of the nerves and turn-overs abounded as well as missed shots. Though this was the case early on, points started to flow and by the end of the first quarter all was even at 17 points. One moment that must be mentioned was by Jamai Puckerin of the Cavs who had a huge Game 3 dominating the paint and he intended to pick up where he left off. No one knows that better than Ian Alexander now. With only 4 minutes gone in the game, Puckerin received the ball from the wings low down in the blocks and with one bump towards the ring, he threw down a monster one hand slam over the doomed outstretched hand of Alexander. The crowd went wild but there was hardly any reaction from Puckerin or Alexander, probably due to the focus on the real prize, the ‘W’.

 

The start of the second quarter saw the Cavs come out strong, pressing the Pine guards on the wings, the created a few turn-overs which they converted at the other end. They took a 31-20 commanding lead with some good hustle plays especially by one of the smaller players on the team Kevin Sealy. Sealy drove to the ring at every opportunity given to him by the defense to either dish the ball or finish strong at the hoop. He did not always score but the defense had to react to him allowing one of his team-mates to grab the offensive rebound. The clock stood at 2:25 left in the half when Alexander almost got his revenge and drove to the basket for a two hand slam on Puckerin but he was fouled at the last moment. He went to line to convert both free throws. He did gain some form of consolation with a slam over Puckerin’s team-mate Joel Hunte later on in the quarter. The Pine was able to come back into the game with a 7-0 run to end the half to see the quarter end 31-27. The highlight of the second quarter was the fact that the floor general for the Pine, Jeremy Gill collected three quick fouls, including an offensive foul for pushing off.

 

It was an interesting beginning to the second half with Puckerin still having his way with the Pine defense but also Ramon Simmons and Alexander came out shooting. Pinelands was able to tie the game at 42 all and then take the lead with 4:45 to go and the score at 45-43. The Gill picked up his fourth foul with 2:20 to go in the third and had to be subbed to protect his last foul. This was the point where the Cavaliers could have taken over the game with the Pine’s biggest leader on the bench. They were not able to capitalize unfortunately and the bench for Pinelands held their own, led by Derion Hurley and Dwayne Pollard. The Pine opened up a six point lead (55-49) by the end of the period and the Cavs looked a team desperate for answers to pull the game back within reach.

 

Station Hill started the quarter exactly how they needed to with a 6-0 run, to tie the game with only a minute and twenty seconds gone on the clock showing their aptitude for quick scoring. The teams traded baskets, both looking to score on each possession. At 4:44 left to go in the game Gill stepped back into the fray with the Pine up four 63-59 and his first touch of the ball was called for double dribble and turned over the ball. He looked to the bench and signalled to keep calm and did not looked flustered. He remained calm and stepped up to the position that was expected of him and led his team. The Cavs were not giving up however and good aggression from Sealy and Darren Hunte got baskets and steals which kept the game close at 68-66 with 1:49 left in the contest.