By Samuel Peters
The Mahijah Davis Basketball Academy (MDBA) tournament heated up on Saturday night with two intense matchups that showcased young talent and fierce competition.
In the first game, GY faced off against MDBA 2 in a closely contested battle. GY managed to edge out a narrow victory, 40-34, thanks to standout performances from their key players.
Justin Carr dominated both ends of the court, putting up an impressive double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds, while also snagging 4 steals. Noah Massiah contributed significantly with 10 points and 14 rebounds. However, the game’s MVP was undoubtedly Eli Harris, who filled the stat sheet with a monstrous 17 points, 16 rebounds, 7 steals, and 6 blocks, showcasing his all-round skills.
The second game of the night saw Bajan Ballers facing off against MDBA 1, resulting in a lopsided victory for Ballers with a final score of 72-32. The Barbados team displayed excellent teamwork and individual brilliance. Jelani Marshall led the charge with 22 points, 6 assists, and 6 steals, while Isaac Griffith contributed 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. Jerome Arthur had an all-around excellent game with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 steals.
The Bajans’ dominance wasn’t limited to offensive output. Rhys Cozier was a force on the boards, pulling down an astounding 23 rebounds and adding 4 steals to his stat line. Najee Simons and Yohan Nicholas also made their presence felt, with Simons recording 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 blocks, while Nicholas chipped in 7 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
All eyes will be on these rising stars to see who will step up and lead their teams to victory in the finals on Sunday evening at the JSC Sports Complex.
