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Warwick Academy was once again well represented with both the Middle and Senior Boys Annual Basketball Finals.
The Middle School boys were first up and they faced league runners up Dellwood who they narrowly beat earlier in the league. Dellwood were formidable opponents and their athleticism and fortitude made them the team Warwick wanted to face.
With so much talent on both teams, one had to be surprised and even disappointed at the lack lustre performance by both in the first half. Delray Rawlins of Warwick Academy had gotten himself into early foul trouble, so he was placed on the bench to ensure he was available in the second half. Warwick had far too many turn overs and Dellwood somehow found themselves in the lead, low as it was, by the score of 5-4.
In the end coach Thorne felt comfortable to throw on his younger players, and although Dellwood took advantage of their inexperience, Warwick still managed a comfortable win by the score of 17 to 10.
Raushon Tankard had one of his better games of the season, even though he only scored 4 points. His high energy and explosive dribbling gave us many steals and scoring opportunities and he received the MVP award.
Delray Rawlins did not play to his full ability, he scored 3, but his dribbling skills, vision and passing ability enabled Warwick Academy to control the second half. Arriek Douglas was the Warwick leading scorer with 6 points and Tez Terry added 4 more.
The undefeated team of 2011 in both the league and knock out cup were: Captains: Delray Rawlins and Raushon Tankard; Arriek 'Screws' Douglas, Ajani Tucker, Matthew Bacon, Keevon Minors, Joey Dougherty, Rajul Shakir, Jeremiah Andrade, Omari Tucker, Sam Ponte, Tez Terry, Justin Ferreira and Stefan Wilson.
The varsity boys always love to play Cedarbridge as they always come with their best and have defeated Warwick for the league title several times in the recent past. Last year Warwick surprised Cedarbridge at Warwick Academy with a thrilling and dominant display of basketball. One wrench in the Warwick plan was the late announcement from their tallest and best rebounder, Eron Woods, saying he would miss the tip off and most likely the entire first half. Warwick Academy started Robele Baker in Woods’ absence.
This was a genius move and Baker started on fire dropping three long range 'three pointers' to give Warwick an early lead.
Cedarbridge countered almost all of the Warwick shots, but their two pointers were could not keep up with the Warwick three pointers and Warwick built a 12 point lead before the break.
Finally Woods showed up to enormous support from the Warwick faithful and Robele was able to receive oxygen on the side lines.
Midway through the second half, however, Cedarbridge got closer, Warwick went cold, in the final 2 minutes Cedarbridge threw literally everything at their opponents, but Warwick stood firm and in the end won by the score of 57 to 49 to win their third title in a row.
MVP award went deservedly to Juron Tucker who had one of his best games this season. He scored 21 points Robele Baker added 12, Kiwon Williams added 9, Tevis Spence scored 6, Eron Woods scored 5 and Joshua Malpas scored 1.
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