By Lesroy W. Williams
Observer Reporter
lesroywilliams@thestkittsnevisobserver.com
(Molineux Site, St. Kitts)- It came down to four teams in competition, with one big question: Can Young Guns come out on top again or will they wind up down in the valley at the hands of Over De Hill?
The finals of the Dr. Timothy Harris Basketball League began with four teams on August 9 featuring Young Guns – last year’s top team – who are defending the champion’s trophy against Over De Hill.
Unexpected and Taba-X Men are competing for third place.
Cameron Matthew of Young Guns was the Most Valuable Player in 2007. Young Guns seem to be the team most favored to win again this year and the crowd support for them has been phenomenal.
Many spectators in support of Young Gun come out in pageantry, dressed in orange (the color for Young Guns) in support of their team.
The first in the “best of five” games for the championship on August 9 saw Over De Hill beating Young Guns 85 to 84 in a keenly contested game that ended up in a brawl. Player of the game was Shawn “Shabba” Forbes of Over de Hill with 33 points, 11 rebounds and two assists. Top scorers for Young Guns were Cameron Matthew with 21 points, 15 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocks; David Dowell with 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 6 blocks; and Tambora Caines with 25 points, 2 assists and 1 steal. Top scorers for, 3 steals, 6 blocks Caines with 25 points, 2 assists and 1 rebound.
In the second game on August 11, Young Guns equalized the score 1-1, coming back with a vengeance to defend their title against Over de Hill with a 26 point margin, the score ending up 81-67. Player of the game was Sylvester “Buzz” Whyte with 19 points, 14 rebounds and 1 assist. Top scorers for Over de Hill were Shawn “Shabba” Forbes with 30 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 4 blocks and Alex Thomas with 21 points and 21 rebounds.
On Aug. 13, the third of five games gave Young Guns the edge above Over de Hill who could have won the game, but who made some unfortunate errors towards the end. Young Guns ended up winning the game 68-61. This gives them a one game edge and puts them one game away from winning the championship. Cameron Matthew of Young Guns was the player of the game with 18 points and 18 rebounds. Top scorers for Over de Hill were Corey Caesar with 12 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and 1 steal; Shawn Forbes with 11 points, 19 rebounds, 2 assists; and Alex Thomas with 8 points, 21 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals.
Game four will take place on August 16 and will determine whether Young Guns will take the trophy or go to game five against Over de Hill.
