The Gregs defeated Europa Youth by a score of 82-60 in the final game of the Citycell Basketball League to become the unbeaten champions at the Dhanmondi Basketball Gymnasium on Monday.
The Gregs’ Reginald Holmes was the game’s top scorer with 22 points, while Jaraun Burrows chipped in with 13 points.
After a closely fought encounter in the first half, the Gregs began to pull away from their opponents in the remaining two quarters to clinch the top division basketball title. Europa Youth were the winners of the previous edition.
Both Gregs and Europa began the game well in the first half as they knocked down three-pointers at will. Europa’s American recruit Cheyenne Moore and Gregs’ Burrows, also from the United States, caught the eye of the capacity crowd with some stellar tricks.
The Gregs led the first half by 40-34 points as the game was balanced on a knife edge. With the game heading towards the final quarter, however, the Gregs started to impose their authority over their opposition as the scoreboard read 62-47.
Gregs’ American forwards, Holmes and William Walker, controlled proceedings brilliantly with their fast-breaks while local players Rashed and Shohag frustrated Europa with their neat defensive work.
Europa’s other two American players Jerome James and Yves Saintelo grew increasingly frustrated as they went for several three-pointers at the end of the game only to be denied narrowly.
Between the two sides, the Gregs displayed far better team chemistry whereas Europa, after a solid start, lost their way as the game wore on.
Gregs’ Burrows, one of the star performers of the final, expressed his delight with the title win and also praised the hospitality provided by the local people.
‘I enjoyed it very much. The Bangladeshi people have been nothing but wonderful. This was my first time and I would be more than welcomed to come back,’ said Burrows, who plays professional basketball in Europe.
Meanwhile, Gregs’ Walker, who sacrificed his forward runs to help out the defense in the latter part of the game, stated that he was pleasantly surprised to see the exhibition of the local basketball players.
‘It was a great experience. I got to be in another part of the world. Guys play hard out here. Everyone had a lot of heart no matter how tough each game was. Everybody gave it their all. I always respect that and appreciate that,’ said Walker.
Walker felt the local players can go a long way if they worked hard at it.
‘I say keep working hard on your skills and work hard on the fundamentals. Every day they’ve got to put hours in, keep practicing with all they have and they will eventually get better,’ added Walker, who will ply his trade in Italy in the upcoming season.
State Minister for Youth and Sports, Ahad Ali Sarker was the chief guest of the programme and distributed prizes among the winners, runners-up and the other participating teams.
A total of ten teams took part in the league.
-With New Age input
