By Carlena Knight
A new champion has been crowned.
Spanish Heat took home the 2023 Antigua and Barbuda Basketball Association (ABBA) Division Two League title on Wednesday night after defeating Ottos Coolers 72-61 in the league finals.
It was a one-sided affair at Ovals as the Hispanic men dominated from the jump ball to the final whistle.
Steven Matthew led this team to victory by scoring 20 points. He was assisted by skipper Kelvin Pimental who had 14 points and eight rebounds.
Jesus Emmanuel also got in on the action netting 12 points and snatching seven rebounds.
Coolers’ Vladimir Castro had a game high 22 points, seven rebounds and seven steals while his teammate Lincoln Weekes made 17 and recorded eight assists.
Javon Simon contributed with 12 points in a losing effort.
Spanish Heat and Coolers faced off in the finals after winning both their respective zones, both with a 13-1 record.
New Generation Slam secured the third-place spot after edging out Flyers 2, 62-60.
The nailbiter affair went down to the wire with both teams trading baskets but four missed free throws from the orange men would come back to haunt them as they ended up losing by two points.
Anjis Anthony led the charge for the country team with 18 points, 14 rebounds and five steals.
John Rolland Jr assisted scoring 16 points and grabbing 14 rebounds while Keaddy Martin chipped in netting 10 points.
Adrian Carnegie was the top scorer for the orange men with 18 points. Craig Massiah had 14 and Jaheem James 11 in a losing effort.
