Ball Jammers cool Valencia Heat

Sweato Ball Jammers completed a quick one-two combo in the “Big Four” competition of the  Eastern Community Basketball League’s Second Division. Sweato, shocked the league when they defeated the previously unbeaten Brian Chase Academy Veterans and pulled off another great victory against Valencia Heat 69-65 on Saturday at the Maloney Indoor Sport Arena. They led 32-28 at the half and continued to dominate the match as they showed their team spirit with four players — Kevin Edwin (17 points), Dane Cummings (14), Dexter Morien (13) and Andy Belfon (12) getting in on the act to win the match. The Valencia Heat had two standouts —  Fabrice Fisher (20 points) and Marlon Young (11) but no one else on their team was allowed to see double figures. Game Two featured a hungry Heat team and a collection of educated Ball Jammers making for a classic “do or die” match-up which Sweato won 84-71.

At the half both teams were locked at 37 with Sweato once again on their grind and Heat keeping up with Fisher at the helm. Soon enough Sweato isolated Fisher and let him do all the work and the young player was seemingly happy to comply and put in a team high 29 points for the boys from Valencia while Sweato waited for their opportunity. Not bargaining on Fisher’s apparent never-ending exuberance and drive to come out on top Sweato trudged along to the final whistle at which point both teams stood at 66. It was here Sweato opened their eyes, saw victory and grabbed it by the throat. With 30 points Andy Belfon led all scores and effectively cancelled out Fisher’s efforts. Alvin Beharry pitched in with 18, Dexter Morien sank 13, Kevin Edwin made 12 and Dane Cummings put in ten as the Heat cooled under all the Jamming. Fisher’s 29 points proved a gift and a curse as they kept the team alive but killed the team spirit altogether. Sylvester Thomas had ten and was the only other Heat contributor.

Described as an act of revenge by team officials, the Brian Chase Academy Veterans beat Rooks Engineering Warriors 81-72 after leading 48-21 at the half-time interval in their place play-off. The Vets were led by Derek “Cornbread” James and Ian “Poison” Gomes with 22 points each. Patrick “KK” Joseph did not play the fourth quarter and still had 18 and the eldest player in the league, Trevor “Tempo” Reid, kept in step with 15 points for the gallant Vets. For Rooks’ Warriors, Clint Adams (19), Kendell Dottin (13) and Kern Dottin (10) were not up to the challenge and fell against the Veterans. Veterans had claimed two of the three titles in the Second Division but were denied the third crown by league debutants Sweato who went to take the “Big Four” garland on the weekend.