Basseterre, St. Kitts - A confident James ‘Barman’ Hanley, President of SKABA and veteran Coach for the Rams Energizer Hitters had calmly predicted in a pre match interview that the Hitters would rebound and win game two of the best of five finals by ‘no less than 10 points’. CG Rebels supporter Vance who had showed up just prior to the game to check his ‘heart pressure’ was quick to observe that ‘Barman’ was sweating’. ‘Barman’ was quick to respond that that was a result of some recent hard work in the SKABA bar. He however proceeded to down a few beers, noting that it was for the ‘cooling of the nerves’.
It was obvious that the Kittitian fan club was on the ball for this crucial game. From the time the CG Rebels stepped onto the pier in Basseterre, they were greeted with a whole lot of pre game chatter:
“Ah backing are you but ah want are you lose-cause are you dress in red like Labour’, screamed one woman.
‘Barman, we can’t allow these boys to have no motorcade pon us owa in Newis’, a male fan warned Hanley.
As interesting as the first match was—a relegation game, the crowd was at best ‘sparsely scattered’. However, when the starting whistle for the main encounter was blown, shortly after 8.30 pm, the main stand was sagging with spectators. It was obvious that the Hitters had recruited extra ‘support’ for the big game.
Unlike the first game, Hitters drew first blood and were off and running with a quick two pointer. The CG Rebels all pumped up with the extra support coming over on the Caribe Queen and with the addition of key player Jenerson ‘Buju’ France, hit a three, compliments of the big Rastaman Everson ‘Ev’ Webbe who had starred in the last game but then flattered to deceive after that, as it was the Hitters’ fans whose shouts were constantly dominating the stadium.
After that initial three, Everson Webbe faded away in the twilight and was not a feature for the rest of the match. ‘Must be suffering an injury’, observed the eloquent Commentator, ‘Ras Dabu’.
The first quarter ended with the Hitters leading 19 to 13. The Hitters entered the second quarter truly bubbling unlike the Rebels who seemed a little under duress. A combination of misses by CG and some quick turn overs from the Hitters, added to the obvious shooting skills of the veteran Trevor ‘Marty’ Huggins and some of the younger guns, Hitters dominated to end the second quarter 40 to 28 and the Kittitian fans were screaming for a ‘blow out’.
After a strong lecture from the bench, CG Rebels looked a lot more energized entering the third quarter and challenged stoutly in what was arguably their best quarter, to narrow the score line to a 10 point lead at the whistle---58 to 48 in favour of Hitters.
‘All to play for’, said an excited ‘Ras Dabu’ as the players came center court for the final quarter. Hitters continued their domination with a superb three pointer from guess who? Trevor ‘Marty’ Huggins! It seemed like a fore gone conclusion but as the game entered its closing stages, Kirt Herbert sank a couple of wonderful ‘threes’ of his own and suddenly ‘Barman’ looked really agitated. His team’s 18 point lead had been stifled to a mere 8 point lead. He immediately called for a time out.
Whatever was said at the bench, the Hitters came back with the clear intention not to let this one go. In the final moments of the game, they appeared to be the team ‘most hungry’ for the victory. They drew the foul and as the final two points were sunk from the free throw line, Jennerson France slid to the floor and wept openly. CG had lost game two. The final score line: Hitters 82 CG Rebels 71
Surprisingly, the boat ride over was far from somber. The fans made fun of their players who also appeared in good spirits as they looked forward to game three. When the boat was passing through the channel, Vance asked for the cameras to be rolling as the CG players were to be ‘dumped at sea’.
When teased about his crying on the court, a teary eyed ‘Buju’ responded: “Are you could laugh—is lose CG lose you know!”
Director of Sports Lincoln Barry confirmed that the temporary court at the Grell Hull-Stevens Netball Complex, has received the green light and that match three will definitely be played in Nevis tomorrow—Saturday evening. A bumper crowd is expected to support the CG Rebels in their quest to create more history. The big question is: Can they bounce back? It is believed that the crowd support for them on Saturday night may well make the difference but the Hitters fans are also promising to come over in large numbers.
Will ‘Buju’ have the last laugh or will he be shedding more tears?
Only time will tell.
