By Neto Baptiste
Potters Steelers closed out their best of three series against All Saints Slam while Spanish Heat pushed their series against Ottos Full Throttle to a decisive game three when they clashed in Division 1 of the Antigua and Barbuda Basketball Association (ABBA) Playoffs at the JSC Basketball Complex on Sunday night.
Playing in the feature clash, Steelers defeated All Saints Slam 81-74 to wrap up their series, 2-0 with a dominant performance. Steelers opened strong to outscore the opponents 21-16 in the first quarter before the teams were equally matched 17-17 in the second quarter. Steelers then claimed the third quarter 26-18 before Slam won the fourth and final quarter 23-17.
Veteran, Marlon “Buju” Charles led the scoring for Steelers with 22 points while grabbing 13 rebounds. Russell Daley chipped in with 17 points while Humroy Wright contributed with 13 points. In a losing effort, John Rolland Jr sank 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Slam. Keaddy Martin picked up 12 points and dished nine assists also in a losing effort.
Meanwhile, Spanish Heat forced a decisive game three when they beat Ottos Full Throttle 61-58 also at JSC.
The lead switched hands on several occasions throughout the close contest with Full Throttle claiming the first and second quarters 15-14 and 14-12. Spanish Heart rallied to outscore Full Throttle 19-8 in the third quarter before Full Throttle won the fourth and final quarter 21-16.
Steven Matthew led the scoring for the victors with 23 points while Damian Floyd chipped in with 14 points and 10 rebounds. N’Kenge Drew and Akeem Davis had 16 and 15 points respectively in a losing effort for Full Throttle. Drew also snatched 13 rebounds.
Game three will be held on Tuesday night at the JSC basketball complex.