Wolves deny GTSC victory

(CNS): DHL Wolves snatched a much-needed victory away from George Town Sports Club, last year’s champions in the Dominos Pizza men’s league, to win by a single point on Sunday night.
The match, which took place at the court off Eastern Avenue, ended 69-68. George Town Sports Club secured the lead in the first, second and most of the third quarters. Wolves tied the game at the end of the fourth quarter and in the dying minutes of the game, GTSC saw the victory slip through their hands, when Earl Allen did a reverse lay-up for two points. It was just what Wolves needed to secure the win. Of course, it helped that throughout the game, Wolves out-rebounded GTSC, 59-38. (Photo by Tara Bush: Wolves’ Gary “Butcher” McLaughlin scores)

According to a release from the CIBA, Wolves’ leading man was Dwight O’Garro with 23 points and 18 rebounds. Carson Fagan and Gary “Butcher” McLaughlin also contributed. Fagan’s total was 20 points, with 5 assists and 7 rebounds. McLaughlin’s tally was 11 points and 10 rebounds.

GTSC’s top scorer was Antonio Thompson with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Jonathon Mitchell had 22 points and 8 rebounds and Mike Morgan added 10 points and 8 rebounds.
Coach of DHL Wolves, Duran “Trini” Whittaker, attributed his team’s victory to “a burning desire to win.”

He stated: “It means everything to us to win the league title. We have come so close before only to lose to GTSC. This year it is going to be different.” Theresa Hamil, the first female coach in the men’s league, said while her team, GTSC lost, they gave an excellent performance.
“It was a good game and it hurts to lose by one point. The fact that Wolves were grabbing up the defensive rebounds and then turning around to score is what hurt us at the end of the game,” she said.

Samuel O’Garro sets new records

In the first game of the evening, Esso Blazers defeated Tarheels 94-90 in an intense match that went into over time.

While Tarheels out-rebounded their opponents, they were unable to capitalise at the free throw line. Esso’s execution was nearly flawless and was the deciding factor that led to their victory.

It didn’t hurt that one of their players, Samuel O’Garro, had the perfect night. In fact, O’Garro set a national record by recording double figures in four categories in the stats – 29 points, 11 rebounds, 12 steals and 13 assists.

National Technical Director, Victor “Voot” O’Garro (who is also Sammy’s father) explained how difficult it is for a player to achieve this type of record. “It means that a player has to record double figures in four statistical categories. Such a player has to play both ends of the floor – offensive and defensive. Very few players have accomplished this,” he said.

Other top scorers for Esso Blazers were Perry Levy with 24 points and 3 steals and Kevin Maxwell with 19 points and 9 rebounds.

Tarheels’ top player was Omar Clarke who registered his career high with 36 points and 18 rebounds. Andrew Wisdom backed him up with 14 points and 9 rebounds.