Defending Antigua and Barbuda Basketball Association (ABBA) Division One League champions, F and G Trading Cuties Ovals Ojays recorded their ninth win ofthe season as they edged the defending playoff champions and long-time rivals, Flyers Basketball, 89-83 on Sunday night at the JSC Sports Complex. Despite a 32-point, eight rebounds effort by CBA player and reigning MVP Torey Fassett, the orange men could not secure their 10th win, but instead suffered their second loss.
The Ojays got their revenge on Flyers, leveling the tally at 1-1 in their league meetings. The star of the night was N’kenge “Beef” Drew who put on a stellar performance in the second half. Drew – who fouled out with under 10 minutes left in the feature encounter, but having already notched 16 points and 14 rebounds – received a round of applause from fans at the Complex.
Joshua Minner was the leading scorer for the victors with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Veteran Marlon “Buju” Charles joined the party, netting 16 points, grabbing nine rebounds and recording seven steals, while captain Bryan “Hollywood” Matthew chipped in, sinking 12. CBA player Jermaine “Golden” Bolden also got in on the action, netting 11 points and making seven assists.
National player Selassie Brathwaite had 17 points for Flyers while Kenya Achom scored 13 points and made eight assists in a losing effort. Freetown Travelers suffered their eighth loss of the season, this time falling to Potters Steelers 84-68 in the first match of the doubleheader evening. Benny Iko had a game high 29 points and 11 rebounds for Steelers Nation while national player Kareem “Macky” Edwards chipped, in netting 22 points and grabbing eight rebounds.
CBA players Jacob Lloyd and Darius Daniels contributed with 14 and 11 points respectively. Travelers’ Morlon “Little” Davis had 26 points and 10 rebounds while teammate Iornie Joseph sank 21 points and snatched 12 rebounds in a losing effort. Travelers now hold a dismal 2-8 record while Potters continue to be on the rise at 7- 3.