The Ravens Basketball Club saw their promising journey in the Kreyol Basketball Festival come to an end on Monday evening, falling 87-73 to GCB from Guadeloupe during the Northern Division championship matchup.
Despite showcasing determination and talent throughout the tournament, the Ravens ultimately faced a well-coordinated Guadeloupean team.
The Ravens began their tournament with a solid victory over the DTread Blazers of Dominica, followed by another win against the USR Basketball Club, earning their spot for the final against GCB.
Right from the start, the championship game was intense. Ravens’ young player Alroy Nurse found himself in early foul trouble after an altercation with GCB captain Baptise, contributing to the game’s tense atmosphere.
Offensively, the Ravens aimed to aggressively attack the paint while defensively, Coach Rodrigues urged his team to maintain constant vigilance against the swift GCB players. The first quarter concluded with a narrow GCB lead of 29-26, led by Shamaar Huntley and Nicholai Smith for the Ravens.
In the second quarter, the Ravens began to shine. An effective defensive adjustment allowed them to limit GCB’s scoring, leading them to a 20-9 quarter, finishing at halftime with a solid 46-38 advantage despite losing Huntley to injury.
However, GCB returned strong after halftime, closing the gap and eventually taking a commanding lead. By the fourth quarter, the Ravens struggled to keep up, and GCB outscored them significantly to secure their victory.
Shamaar Huntley led the Ravens with 23 points, supported by Domonic Vincente and Nicholai Smith with 11 each. Coach Marlon Rodrigues expressed pride in his team even in defeat, commending their dedication and strong performances throughout the festival. Despite the loss, the Ravens are hopeful for qualification in the upcoming King of Kings Tournament, reflecting their strong overall tournament performance.
Source: newsroom.gy
