By: Shayne Stubbs
The Tabernacle Falcons furthered their dominance of the senior boys division in the latest installment of high school basketball.
On the heels of winning the Tip-Off Classic Championship, a two games to none (2-0) sweep of the St. George’s Jaguars won them the Grand Bahama Secondary School Athletic Association: Derek Nesbitt/Obie Wilchcombe senior boys championship.
Without star guard Franco Miller Jr. (injury) in the line up for the series the Falcons took game one back on Wednesday at the St. George’s Gymnasium, 51-41. This past Friday, game two went down to the wire but the Falcons eventually pulled away with the 58-52 win.
Falcons’ point guard Alfredo Brown and forward Shyrone Kemp each had a game-high 18 points to power the Falcons. Brown was named the Most Valuable Player.
Overall, Brown said the win meant a lot for him and the team. Now that he is a starter this season the Tabernacle debate team member said he is really getting a better feel for the game.
“Last year coming off the bench it was a first time experience. But now I’m a starter and I’m really getting a handle of the game. So I’m starting to play better and (I’m) maturing.”
With a few big time shots down the stretch Brown voiced that it helped his confidence for the better.
“It helped my confidence to go sky-high. It keeps me focused, locked in and to keep shooting ball.”
Make no mistake about it the Jaguars seemed poise to make it a three game series. The Jaguars led the Falcons for the majority of the game up until the closing moments of the third quarter.
With just over a minute left in the third quarter, and tied at 33, a put-back lay up by Kemp gave the Falcons a 35-33 lead. The Falcons held a 37-35 lead headed into the fourth.
A number of lead changes took place halfway through the fourth quarter. The Falcons held a 48-45 lead over the Jags with over two minutes to go in regulation. A three-pointer from Devonte Jennings (14 points) made things even at 48 with 2:30 remaining.
Down the stretch a free throw gave the Jaguars a 49-48 lead with 2:11 left on the clock. One of Brown’s big time shots came at the 1:11 mark. His three-pointer gave the Falcons a 51-49 lead. An eventual free throw gave the Falcons a 52-49 lead.
Not one to go away quietly Jaguars’ guard Mateo King drilled a three-pointer to even the game at 52 apiece with only 43 seconds left. However, Shemel Green regained the lead for the Falcons at the 25-second mark with a put-back lay up.
Pair of free throws from the Falcons’ Sondre Todd and fast break dunk from Kemp eventually sealed the win for the Falcons.