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Quarters United and Southside Elite find themselves on the brink of securing final berths in their respective divisions in the South Zone Basketball League
With a spot in the championship series on the line, Wednesday night’s (Sepetmber 16) Men’s Under-23 double-header promises an exciting evening at the Southern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Pleasantville, San Fernando.
The Quarters unit flexed its offensive depth on Saturday night, delivering a outstanding performance to comfortably defeat Bronx Bulldogs 108-76 in game one of their best-of-three series.
Simba Edwards led a well-balanced Quarters attack with a team-high 22 points. He was backed by a flurry of double-digit scorers, including Devin Collins (20), Justin Mitchell (13), Joshua Huyghue (12), and Micheal Bedeau (10). Quarters dictated the match-up early, holding a narrow 27-26 edge after the first quarter before breaking the match wide open with a 28-13 second-period run to lead 55-39 at halftime.
Bronx’s Dexion Rouse (19) and Darion Sparks (18) fought valiantly, but Quarters pushed their advantage to 78-58 by the third quarter and cruised through the fourth.
In Friday’s U-23 series opener, Southside Elite put on an equally dominant show, overwhelming Club Enterprise 97-57. Mikiel Phillips went off for a match-high 31 points, supported by Jahiem Graham (17) and Javan Attech (10). Elite controlled every quarter break (27-14, 50-29, 69-37), leaving Enterprise, who were led by Josiah Parris (24) and Nekeyse Moore (18), searching for answers.
Saturday’s (September 12) action kicked off with a thrill ride in the Girls’ U-19 division, as South Stars managed to hold off a relentless Bronx team for a narrow 55-52 victory.
Bronx took an early 13-9 lead after the opening quarter behind strong play from Amena Philbert (23) and Shania Bassawh (15 ). However, South Stars Basketball Academy flipped the script in the second period, mounting a 19-6 surge behind a stellar 27-point outing from Anidah Mendoza to take a 28-19 halftime advantage. Supported by Melissa Tracey (12) and Nakasha Charles (7), Stars fended off a furious second-half rally by Bronx, clinging to a 39-36 lead after three periods before closing out the three-point win.
Advanced Genetics outplays Rising Stars
Friday (Sepytember 11) night in the opening match, in the Boys’ U-17 division, Advanced Genetics survived a massive 41-point effort from Rising Stars’ Jerod Henry to pull out an 89-86 win.
Rising Stars claimed the opening quarter 24-22, but Advanced Genetics quickly responded. Led by Gaven Wagner’s 29 points, alongside 25 from Justin Francis and 16 from Terrell Thomas, Genetics stormed ahead to lead 50-41 at the half and maintained a 72-68 edge heading into the fourth. Despite Henry’s heroics, supported by Nariel Jackman (11) and Jovan Goodluck (10), Genetics hit crucial buckets late to secure the game one victory.
Southside, Quarters draw first blood in top division
Wednesday (September 9) night saw both Southside Elite and Quarters take 1-0 series leads in the Men’s Championship Division with convincing, double-digit wins.
Elite, the defending champion, showcased its trademark up-tempo offense to dismantle Advanced Genetics 91-61. A balanced scoreline saw Akheel Boyd (17), Tyrik Singh (16), Jelani Valley (13), and Jason Friday (11) all hit double figures. Elite took total control in the second quarter, extending a 17-13 first-quarter lead into a 44-28 halftime cushion, effectively putting the game out of reach despite a valiant 28-point effort from Genetics’ Adrian Joseph.
Meanwhile, Quarters rode a explosive 31-point night from Kester Mc Guire to power past last year’s runner-up Police Alpha 83-67. Quarters exploded out of the gate with a 29-13 opening period. Police managed to cut into the deficit by halftime (40-35) behind Nathyan Lewis (14) and Mikahail Williams (12), but Quarters reasserted control behind Simba Edwards (18), Ako Pascall (13), and Justin Mitchell (11) to seal the win.
Fans can catch all the action on game nights for $20.
Big Four semifinal results (Game 1)
Saturday (September 12)
Men’s U-23 Division
Bronx 76 (Dexion Rouse 19, Darion Sparks 18) vs Quarters 108 (Simba Edwards 22, Devin Collins 20, Justin Mitchell 13, Joshua Huyghue 12, Micheal Bedeau 10). Quarters: 1st 27-26, 2nd 55-39, 3rd 78-58 (All in favour of Quarters).
Girls’ U-19 Division
Bronx 52 (Amena Philbert 23, Shania Bassawh 15) vs South Stars 55 (Anidah Mendoza 27, Melissa Tracey 12, Nakasha Charles 7). Quarters: 1st 13-9 (Bronx), 2nd 28-19 (Stars), 3rd 39-36 (Stars).
Friday (September 11)
Boys’ U-17 Division
Rising Stars 86 (Jerod Henry 41, Nariel Jackman 11, Jovan Goodluck 10) vs Advanced Genetics 89 (Gaven Wagner 29, Justin Francis 25, Terrell Thomas 16) vs. Quarters: 1st 24-22 (Stars), 2nd 50-41 (Genetics), 3rd 72-68 (Genetics).
Men’s U-23 Division
Club Enterprise 57 (Josiah Parris 24, Nekeyse Moore 18) vs Elite 97 (Mikiel Phillips 31, Jahiem Graham 17, Javan Attech 10). Quarters: 1st 27-14, 2nd 50-29, 3rd 69-37 (All in favour of Elite).
Wednesday (September 9)
Men’s Championship Division
Southside Elite 91 (Akheel Boyd 17, Tyrik Singh 16, Jelani Valley 13, Jason Friday 11) vs Advanced Genetics 61 (Adrian Joseph 28, Kevin Sargeant 11). Quarters: 1st 17-13, 44-28, 3rd 68-48 (Al in favour of Elite).
Quarters 83 (Kester Mc Guire 31, Simba Edwards 18, Ako Pascall 13, Justin Mitchell 11) vs Police 67 (Nathyan Lewis 14, Mikahail Williams 12, Fabrice Fisher 11). Quarters: 1st 29-13, 2nd 40-35, 3rd 64-48 (All in favour of Quarters).
Matches
Wednesday (September 16)
Men’s U-23 Division (Game 2)
Elite vs Club Enterprise, 7 pm
Quarters vs Bronx, 8.30 pm
Friday (September 18)
Men’s Championship Division (Game 2)
Police Alpha vs Quarters, 7 pm
Advanced Genetics vs Elite, 8.30 pm
Saturday (September 19)
Boys’ U-17 Division
Game 1: Bronx vs PFVBBA, 7 pm
Game 2: Advanced Genetics A vs Rising Star, 8.30 pm
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