The second semi-final of the A Division Mercantile Services Basketball Knockout Championships was played yesterday at Otters basketball court between Avant Garde BC and Nations Trust Bank. NTB dominated what was supposed to be a nail biting game and advanced into the finals when the score board read 86-66 at full time.
The game commenced with the traditional jump ball start and Avant Garde had first possession. Even though they failed to draw first blood in the first possession they succeeded the one after off a mid-range jumper by Dilum. Sidath equalizing the game, shot off another mid-range jumper from the other end and commenced the counter attack. NTB started off their defense with a half-court press early in the game. It was a balanced offence by the NTB lads as Clinton started penetrating through the defense while Devon took the three pointers and Sidath did the rest in the post position. NTB lead the game 14-5 with three minutes to run in the quarter when Christopher Immotazke settled himself fairly and reduced the deficit by a couple of post-up shots. NTB changing defensive strategies played a sagging defense towards the end of the quarter which halted many points of the opposition. The quarter ended with a comfortable four point NTB lead.
Dilum commenced the second quarter of the game scoring mid-range jumper which reduced the deficit by two points. NTB continuing their dominance in defense made Clinton sag back into the arc which prevented Christopher penetrating in and scoring points. Dilum finding touch with the ball shot from downtown which squared the scoreboard 24-24 with four minutes to run down. With the equalization of the score board NTB started to pressurize the opponents yet again through a half court press; but Dilum responding to it well scored off a full-court lay-up which made Avant Garde BC lead the game for the first time. It was no doubt that Christopher Immotazke was the tallest lad among the ten in the court yet he was not using neither his height nor his skills to break off the tight defense on him and score points. As their key player Philip Visojawick had to sit out of this game Avant Garde BC was in desperate need for Christopher to play some quality minutes. Avant Garde BC did not have any proper plan on their offensive aspect even though they tried the odd pick and rolls which was never a success. Although Avant Garde BC scored eighteen points in that quarter the early lead of the NTB helped them to lead the game comfortably at the end of the first phase.
Half Time – Nations Trust Bank – 35 Avant Garde BC – 32
Devon and Clinton continuing their sublime form rattled the Avant defense and the counter attack was not the best you could expect. Even though the Avant Garde BC players penetrated through the defense and drew fouls they failed to convert them to points at the free throw line. Chirstopher Imotazke never showed signs of handling pressure well from the start. Although he was playing in the position of high post the sagging defense and the double team defense messed with his mind and the role he was playing was not at all a success. If Christopher even tried to etch the rebounds he could have had many second shot chances and that could have changed the final result of the game. The quarter ended with a comfortable eight point NTB lead.
The final ten minutes of the game commenced and NTB started off another half-court press. It was a tough ask for the Avant lads as they were not on the ball even with a sagging defense. Christopher had to walk out as he was fouled out but it felt as it did not affect the game at all. It was just a simple ask of a planned offense to the Avant Garde BC to keep the hopes alive but it was pity as it never happened. Even a basic pass and cut play would have put pressure back on the opposition as it was a crucial game and Avant Garde BC might have had a chance. Devon scored freely as he pleased off Clinton`s assists and Sidath and the rest of the players were at their best in rebounding as they offered their outfit a second chance at the basket. Even though the luck was with Avant Garde BC it felt as NTB was too good to end on the losing side at the end the end of the forty minutes of play.
Full time – Nations Trust Bank – 86 Avant Garde BC – 66
ThePapare.com player of the match – Devon Rebert (Nations Trust Bank)
