Jordan Alphonso had another monster game at both ends of the floor, while Kevon Wiggins was sensational with the ball, as the two help guide Guyana to an entertaining 17 points (69 – 52) win over Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) U16 Caribbean Championship.
Playing at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, the win was Guyana’s second, following their opening-night win over Aruba while for the Twin Island Republic, the result meant that they would remain winless in the competition.
Guyana’s hot shooting in the first half saw them leading by as much as 20 points, which they never relinquished despite a few runs from Trinidad and Tobago in the second half.
Kevon Wiggins was 7-32 from the field for 18 points but it got the job done despite the bad shooting. Jordan Alphonso again came through big time with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
Shamar France also dropped 14 points and was hot from beyond the arc hitting 4-9 from downtown while Nigel Bowen contributed 11 points.
Jordan Persad did his best to save Trinidad but his late second half surge was not enough as he ended with 23 points in the loss. Netrell Malcolm had 13 points for Trinidad.
Meanwhile, earlier Guyana opened hot with a 20-7 run in the first quarter with Wiggins sinking the game’s first shot from beyond the arc much to the appreciation of the vociferous crowd in attendance.
Guyana’s ball movement and motion offence to begin the game allowed them to gain the early 13 point advantage before the start of the second period.
While Coach Lugard Mohan’s men did not look to stop Persad, their 2-3 zone defence disallowed the Trinidadian guard from getting into the lane for easy buckets.
However, on the offensive side of the ball Guyana shot the lights out especially from beyond the arc for a 20-point lead heading into the half with the score on 39-19.
Guyana will now battle Jamaica; one of the tournament’s unbeaten team today (July 7) in a game that they will need to win, if they are to play in the Championship round of the tournament.
