NFM hold off Clippers 74-56

In the first match of the night’s double-header, Courts Horizon lost for the first time this season when they were beaten 74-61 by arch-rivals Defence Force.

However, having beaten the national champions by 18 points in their first meeting, Horizon’s main objective was not to lose by 19 and that was achieved to secure league honours.

However, the focus of the night’s programme was NFM’s clash with Clippers who 24-hours ago defeated reigning zone champions Defence Force 85-76.

The contest was even for the first two quarters 17-17 and 34-33 in Clippers’ favour. But in the third quarter NFM opened a ten-point advantage and never looked back.

Forward David King scored 12 of his match-high 16 points in he fourth quarter for NFM who won eight zonal titles from the first year the club was formed in 1992.

In King’s 12 points he made three of four three-point baskets which kept Clippers at bay.

Competition in the Supligen North Zone Basketball League was shifted to Tacarigua because of indoor hockey matches and Carifesta which will be staged on the indoor courts of the Jean Pierre Complex until October 2.

As a result, the zone would delay the playing of their First, Second and Women Divisions knock-out competitions.

The zone will focus on the completion of the men’s First division and the Big-Four finals.

Saturday’s Results:

Women’s Division: DEFENCE FORCE 74 (Rhonda John-Davis 27, Clarissa Cain 10) vs COURTS HORIZON 61 (Mahalia Simpson 19, Rachael Thompson-King 13, Chezelle Griffith 9).

Men’s First Division: NATIONAL FLOUR MILLS 74 (David King 16, Gama Patrick 16, Kerry Westfield 10) v CALEDONIA CLIPPERS 56 (Jeffrey Bourne 12, kerwin Blade 8).

LATEST STANDINGS

FIRST DIVISION

TEAMS P W L PTS

Defence Force 14 11 3 25

Detour Shak Attack 13 10 3 23

Caledonia Clippers 13 9 4 22

National Flour Mills 14 8 6 22

T&T Elite 14 7 7 21

Drillers 14 8 6 20

TUCO Forum 14 3 11 17

Trailblazers 14 0 14 12

Women’s Standings

TEAMS P W L PTS

Courts Horizon 4 3 7 7

Defence Force 4 3 1 7

Trailblazers 4 0 0 4

NB: Courts Horizon won the league by virtue of having a five-points goal average over Defence Force in their two-match head-to-head meetings.