Team Takeover too good for rivals at JamRockers Under-17 Basketball

Team Takeover did a demolition job on P.H.A.S.E 1 Kingston (P1A Kingston, thrashing them 62-21 to become first champions of the JamRockers Under-17 Basketball Classic at the Montego Bay Community College on Sunday afternoon.

The Washington DC-based team had no mercy on the youngest team, Hardwood Kings from Ontario, Canada, defeating them 70-22 in the semifinals to advance.

In the meantime, P.H.A.S.E 1 Academy Kingston eased into the final with a 32-21 victory over P.H.A.S.E 1 Academy International in their semifinal.

Basketball lovers in the west were treated to a first-class experience at the end of the first-of-its-kind tournament that produced some very competitive games.

National Basketball Association (NBA) player Tari Eason from the Houston Rockets, one of the sponsors of the event, was in attendance.

Team Takeover took control from the start as they were always an offensive threat and defended their basket.

The result of the final was never in question after Team Takeover took a 17-7 first-quarter lead, before going on to top their rivals 35-13 at the half. By the end of the third quarter there was no coming back for P1A Kingston with Team Takeover leading 53-19.

Cole Riley was the undisputed star for Team Takeover, as he emerged as the Most Valuable Player of the competition scoring 15 points to go along with three rebounds, and four steals.

For P1A Kingston, Lebron Lewinson was the top player as he ended with nine points, five rebounds, and one steal.

Chuck Henry, head coach of Team Takeover, said the team stuck to the game plan.

“We had a nice size advantage and we used that to get points at the rim and dominating the paint. The game plan was a big deal for us and ultimately just having fun and enjoying the experience,” Henry told The Gleaner.

He added “the thought process is to come back again and be just as competitive if not better. These guys represented the organisation and competed very hard.”

Wayne Dawkins, head coach of P.H.A.S.E 1 Academy Kingston, said the team fought hard and earned respect.

The winning team collected a championship trophy and NBA-style rings. Six teams – Team Takeover, Hardwood Kings, P.H.A.S.E 1 Academy International, P.H.A.S.E 1 Trelawny, P.H.A.S.E 1 Montego Bay and P.H.A.S.E 1 Kingston – competed in the classic.