Ahkeem “Fatto” Boyd and his twin brother Ahkeel “Smally” Boyd’s performances in game one of the JCW Invitational Basketball League best-of-three series final brought Stories of Success (SoS) Basketball Academy a step closer to winning the title after easing to a 90-74 victory over Defence Force for a 1-0 series lead.
On Sunday down at the Southern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Pleasantville, San Fernando, the siblings combined to score 55 points for the reigning East Zone champions, who are coached by Kern George.
“Game one probably looked easy to the fans and all those outside of the game but Defence Force isn’t a team to be overlooked. We prepared thoroughly for this game, as we do for every other game we’ve played,” George said after the game.
George’s leading offensive players were certainly well prepared, with Ahkeem being his usual efficient self from beyond the three-point arc, lighting up the nets with six three-pointers as he notched a match-high 28 points, while his brother was just effective attacking the basket to add 27.
Backing up the Boyd brothers were Moriba De Freitas and Mohammed Elias, who scored 14 and 13 respectively to keep SOS ahead at the end of each quarter, 26-10 in the first, 50-25 at halftime and 71-47 in the third.
Geroge added, “We still missed a lot of open shots in this contest but made up for it on the defensive end. Our often not recognised defence has been a major factor as to why we are undefeated thus far. Moriba De Freitas was huge for us in game one with 14 blocks and continues to be our quarterback on defence.”
Defence Force were a stark contrast to the unit who eliminated Straker Nets on Friday evening in game three of their best-in-three semifinal series.
The soldier/sailor combination team had just one player, Kerry McMillan, reaching double-figures with 13. The shooting guard was locked down by the SoS defence, limiting the prolific long-range shooter to just one three-pointer in his total, compared to five scored in last Friday’s match.
Defence Force will have four days to rethink their game plan heading into game two set for Friday from 9 pm at the same venue while SOS will be aiming to close out the series.
“The guys have been locked in on our main goal, which is to be the change we want to see in basketball in T&T. However, the job isn’t over yet and it’s back to preparation mode for us and film watching for game two because we know Defence Force is no stranger to danger and they will be back on Friday with a better showing,” said George.
In the opening match on Friday, Straker Nets will face-off against Caledonia Clippers in the third-place playoff from 7 pm.
Result
SOS 90 (Ahkeem Boyd 28, Ahkeel Boyd 27, Moriba De Freitas 14, Mohammed Elias 13) v DEFENCE FORCE 74 (Kerry McMillan 13)
Quarter scores: 1st. 26-10, 2nd. 50-25, 3rd. 71-47 (All in favour of SOS).
Friday’s matches
Third-place playoff
• Straker Nets v Caledonia Clippers, 7 pm
Final (Game 2)
• Defence Force v SOS, 9 pm