Pinelands making statements

Coming out on top of two grind out games in a row has shown that KFC Orange 3 Pinelands should not be taken for granted in the Barbados Amateur Basketball Association Premier League even without one of its top players, Jeremy Gill.

Last week Pinelands ended the five-game winning streak of the Station Hill Cavaliers in a 40 minute 86-84 battle at the Barbados Community College (BCC). Cavaliers led for most of the game but Pinelands kept close enough to make a run in the final quarter and the two traded baskets to reach 78 points each on the scoreline with just over two minutes left in the game.

Ian Alexander had a late dunk with a minute left to put Pine up 83-80, but Granville Gittens of Station Hill had his way with Charles Vanderpool in the paint to close the gap to one point (83-82). Cavs were close but were unable to convert there chances and after two clutch free throws from Zahir Motara and Gittens’ missed “Hail Mary” shot, Pine held on. Motara had a game high 23, Vanderpool had 16 and Junior Moore finished with a double-double of 11 points and 16 rebounds.

All three Pinelands players were again part of the next victory which was against Combined Schools Tridents on Saturday at BCC. It took everything they had to come from 22 points behind (63-85) against the youngsters. For the fans of basketball it must have been amazing to see the 42-13 run by the Pinelands veterans, all National players at one point. It was a comeback for the books, as the school boys crumbled under the pressure after taking the fight to the older fellas and leading for most of the matchup.

Moore grabbed 19 rebounds and added 29 points for a seasons best double double. Vanderpool was good for 27 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots as he too played his best game for the season. Motara also scored above 20 points with a 22-point performance, while Alexander contributed 15 points and eight rebounds. Pinelands shot 51 per cent from the field in the game and looked like a fluid machine despite playing without their usual floor general. Other teams by now should have taken note how well the team is playing and can no longer be licking their chops at the sight of the guys in orange.

In other games the Barbados Lumber Company Lakers Sports Club defeated the Barbados Hilton Resort Warriors 78-67 on Saturday.

Keefe Birkett of the Lakers lead all scorers with 23 points, while Justin Pile has a team high 18 for the Warriors.

It was the second in consecutive victories at BCC for Lakers after they took down St. John’s Sonics 88-50. (AS)