The SKABA Junior League continued into week 3 withexciting anticipated encounters.
Monday evening saw two match-ups, featuring the St.Pauls Tuff Knots vs. Blue Devils in game 1 and the highly anticipated Williams Electrical Hitters vs. Tropical Shipping Birdrock Uprisers in game 2.
The Tropical Shipping sponsored Birdrock team entered the 2006 league as the overwhelming favorites to win the junior league title after winning the pre-season Knockout competition.
However, an early loss to the Blue Devils raised some doubts as to whether the Bird Rock team could pull it off.
In Game 1 on Monday the Blue Devils, although under-sized, managed to convincingly outplay their opponents from St. Pauls through 3 quarters. Led by Yogi Jacobs and Rovan Wigley — who had 15 and 10 points respectively — the Blue Devils were way ahead 61-39 when play was ended prematurely.
Cleon Francis of St. Pauls was ejected and could quite possibly be served with some stiff penalties after he initiated an altercation with referee Derrick Sprouse.
In the marquis match-up of the evening and the game of the week, the Tropical Shipping Birdrock Uprisers sent a clear message to all who dismissed their knockout title as a fluke. The Uprisers opened there game by scoring 8-straight points before there rivals, the defending champions Hitters, were able to score a single point.
By the middle of the first quarter the Uprisers had a 13-1 advantage. The Uprisers team never looked back as they ended the first half up 33-19 and increased there lead to 20 by the end of the match with a 61-41 beating of the Williams Electrical Hitters.
This was Hitters second loss in 4 games while Uprisers are riding a 3 game winning streak after losing there opening match against Blue Devils. Dane Rawlins proved that he is arguably the most talented player in the Junior division when he poured in a spectacular 28 points and a massive 18 rebounds and William Natta with an equally impressive 19 points and 18 rebounds.
Hitters had only one player in double figures by the way of William Benjamin, who had 15 points.
Tropical Shipping Birdrock Uprsiers left little doubt in the minds of the doubters as to whether they will be able to maintain there billing as Junior League Championship favorites.
Birdrock definitely features some of the most talented players in the Junior division including Dane and Natta.
As was proven against the defending champions Hitters the Uprisers seemed to be a cut above the rest talent wise.
However, Birdrock’s success would depend heavily on coaching, as it is obvious that the talent is present.
Another interesting match-up, but of little consequence, was the battle of the Junior division cellar dwellers when Western Union Cayon played the McKnight Trotters on Tuesday evening.
The match was very exciting as the very enthusiastic Trotters team seemed very determined to pull themselves out of the cellar position.
However, Cayon had national Junior stand-out Leon Henry who is one of the league’s most talented players.
Cayon and Trotters basically traded baskets throughout the entire game however Cayon pulled away late in the game to win 48-43.
Leon led all scorers with 22 points and a season high 21 rebounds. While teammate Omari Warner supported well with 16 points. Eyanic Simmonds had 17 points and 5 rebounds to lead Trotters while teammate Anthony Silidy had 12 points and 9 rebounds.
Player of the Week undoubtedly had to be Dane Rawlins of the Bird Rock Uprisers whose 28 points and 19 rebounds was simply to much for the Defending champions Hitters to handle.
