The lights were on and the intensity was cranked to full Friday night at the Barbados Community College gym as fans of the Co-operators General Insurance Barbados Amateur Basketball Association (BABA) Premier League were treated to two contrasting matchups, a steamrolling by the City United Celtics and a gritty dogfight between the Lakers and the Heat.
The 246 Mobile Shop City United Celtics have been setting nets ablaze all season long, and the C.A.M Smart Assurance Agent Inc. Heat were just the latest to be scorched. Celtics cruised to a 117–61 demolition, putting together a performance that was more fireworks than basketball.
By the end of the third quarter, the game was long out of reach as City led by 45, and the fourth was little more than a shooting exhibition. The Celtics didn’t just win, they dominated every facet of the contest: Points off turnovers (35-8), second-chance points (30-12), and bench production (47-20), a total team effort.
Deroni Hurley, the maestro, scored 22 points in under 21 minutes, with six of his makes coming from beyond the arc. He also grabbed five steals and dished five assists, continuing his campaign as one of the league’s most dynamic two-way guards. Kiserian ‘Csec’ Adams matched him with 22 of his own, hitting 75% from the field and adding five boards and two steals for good measure.
Jered Alleyne bullied the paint for his 18-point, 8-rebound effort, and Theo Greenidge chipped in with 17 points on 60% shooting from deep, punctuating the rout with an efficient offensive rhythm that the Heat were able to match.
For the Heat, only Jonathan Fitt seemed to hold the line. Fitt was a lone bright spot with 14 points and nine rebounds, shooting 70% from the field and showing poise under constant pressure. But outside of Fitt, it was a nightmarish evening. As a team, the Heat shot just 33.3% from the field, committed 30 turnovers, and were on the receiving end of a 27-0 Celtics run that broke the game wide open.
The second game of the night was a stark contrast, a gritty 87–81 win for the Island Care Ambulance Service & BodyxB Lakers over a hungry Warrens All Stars squad.
Warrens came out swinging, grabbing a 25-19 lead after the first and forcing the Lakers into a physical, defensive-minded contest. Behind Manuel Alleng (13 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists) and Kaliel Austin’s explosive 25-point outing, Warrens refused to back down. Delan Willie also turned heads with a slick 14-point performance on 67% shooting, proving that Warrens had some fire in the tank.
But it was Lakers captain Keefe Birkett who brought out the extinguisher. Birkett was an absolute bucket on the court, tallying 33 points on 73.3% shooting, including six dagger threes. When the Lakers needed momentum and leadership, Birkett delivered, single-handedly keeping his team in it through the second and third.
Primus ‘Optimus’ Walrond added muscle inside with 22 points and eight rebounds, converting on a staggering 81.8% from the field. Though Tyreke ‘Lanks’ Harewood had a quieter scoring night (14 points), his rebounding and paint presence, 15 boards, ensured the Lakers stayed afloat through Warrens’ best stretches.
Though the lead swung multiple times, the Lakers took control late and managed the final moments with calm execution. Their 81% team free-throw shooting and steady
Games continue on Sunday with the nightcap game expected to be exciting with the top-ranked teams, the Celtics and Burger King Clapham Bulls facing off at 7.15 pm. (AS)
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