A SLIGHT drop in concentration at the critical last five minutes of the game cost the Sea Eagles’ U15 midgets dearly, allowing Patriots 3 to pull away and take The Hills boys’ division-A grand final, 44-36, at the Hills Sports Stadium on Monday, March 30, 2015.
By NIRO ROYCE
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It was a tight contest, with the Sea Eagles trailing the Patriots early before assuming the lead at the break.
It took a couple of minutes before the Patriots struck with two baskets.
The Sea Eagles came on board with their first basket to bring the score to 6-2. The teams were scoring baskets steadily, with the Patriots holding on to the lead by 2 baskets and the Sea Eagles playing catch-up.
Towards the latter part of the first half, Sea Eagles coach Roger Mantua called time-out to map out tactics. Back on Court, the Sea Eagles went on to take the lead of 9 points with excellent rebounds, turn-overs and lay-ups.
The first half had the Sea Eagles leading 19-13.
In the second half, the teams tied at 19-All and then again at 26-26.
The Sea Eagles racked up the fouls, which the Patriots used to advantage.
In the last 40 seconds, Sea Eagles were leading 36 to 33 when Patriots tied the score with a 3-pointer. It was 36-36 at the buzzer. The game then went into over-time.
As the Sea Eagles began to feel the pressure, coach Mantua barked instructions which seemed to fall on deaf ears as errors and fouls stunted their play.
The Patriots on the other hand scored 3-pointers and sunk their foul-throws to seal the grand final, 44-36.
Not bad for the Sea Eagles midgets’ very first season at a team, which comprised captain Royce Mantua, Kwabena Brefo, Rishon Royce, Isaiah Minami, Damian Hampstead, Jack Phang, and Rubens You who was unable to play.
The Sea Eagles midgets’ trip to the grand final was as follows:
Sea Eagles bt Redfield Raptors, 46-22.
Sea Eagles bt Blazers, 24-23.
Sea Eagles bt Hoopsters, 46-29.
Sea Eagles lost to Patriots, 21-29.
Sea eagles bt Redfield Raptors, 38-30.
Sea Eagles lost to Blazers, 28-34.
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Pictures:
Top, shows captain Royce Mantua,extreme left, driving for the basket
Middle, shows Rishon Royce jumping to score under the basket.
Below, shows coach Roger Mantua mapping out tactics in the final minutes of the game..
