Raiders take 1-0 lead in playoffs

Good evening I’m James Adderley and you’re right on time for this super dish of Sports Monday. The Capital Life five-game basketball championship series kicked off at the City Centre Friday night, bringing with it an attendance of hope, a large amount of ambition and of course a whole lot of predictions.

Let’s start with the pre-game press conference where San Cas U.B. head coach Brads Neal made this particular pronouncement.

Brads Neal, Head Coach, San Cas U.B.

“This weekend we plan to start the series very fast. We plan to play three games and we’re out. That is our plan.”

Maybe Brads knew something we don’t folks, but let’s go to the tip off against the five-time champion Raiders where Jeff Clifton gets re-introduced to Thomas Gillespie and we’re underway.

Immediately the number one seed U.B. tried to pound the pill down low to big man Kevin Shand, but nothing is going to come easy tonight as the turn over leads to a quick breakaway by Darwin Carter for 2.

San Cas U.B. comes back with good ball movement as Reggie Elliot finishes with the left hand off the glass. It’s more Reggie Elliot when he spots up for 3 and hits over Bart Sanchez.

It’s a tied ballgame when Darren Bovell gets stripped by Albert Alvarez; Darwin Carter finds Brandon Titus and the 2 is automatic. Carter then goes behind the back to Albert Alvarez who gives the Raiders 2 huge points.

Down by 5 in late first half play, coach Neal has busted out into a full sweat people, couldn’t be that pronouncement, right. But the pull-away continues as Gillespie reverses on Shand. And at the half the Raiders run to a 4-point lead.

At the half, the B.B.A. presented its individual awards with the NBA’s Milton Palacio of the Phoenix Suns doing the honours. Keith Acosta scored the most points with a 24.6 per game. Kirk “Shabba” Smith had 14.6 rebounding average to lead the league. Bart Sanchez received the 6th man award. And the man of the moment, Mark “Quicky” Bainton of O.W. Music Centre received the MVP award after leading the league in assists and steals, and we say congratulations big man. Now meet the oldest routine you’ve seen as Jeff Clifton, who we voted for Most Valuable Player, receive this particular award.

But back to game one and in the opening moments of second half Dwight Myvette begins to assert himself as the Raiders take an 8-point lead.

San Cas U.B. comes back with this monster dunk from Jeff Clinton. However, there is no let up from the Raiders–Myvette deals to Bart Sanchez who rises spectacularly for 2.

For San Cas U.B., things take a turn for the worse when Damon Ollie swats this ball away from Leroy Forbes, Dwight Myvette picks it up and goes all the way for 2.

Nevertheless, with 4 and a half minutes to go Seroki finds Darren Bovell and San Cas U.B. is only down by 2. And U.B. does take a 1 point lead right here when Clifton goes interior for 2.

But the Raiders answer immediately with Darwin “Mr. Electric” Carter. Myvette then finds Gillespie, who feints his man for an easy 2. Nevertheless here’s Kevin Shand tying to game at 72 apiece with 31 seconds to go.

But here is the steal that seals the deal for the Raiders, too cute Reggie Elliot gets stripped and then has to foul Dwight Myvette. The Raiders go on to post the 75-72 big W to take game one. Game two is set for Wednesday night at the City Centre. You know it, I do too, San Cas U.B. will not want to go into game three down 0-2.

James Adderley

“It’s a big win for the Raiders tonight. What was the difference between the two teams?”

Thomas Gillespie, Raiders

“Well we played hard you know. It was gonna come down to whoever played the hardest and played the smartest down the stretch, plain and simple; you guys saw the game.”

James Adderley

“You had some problems earlier on picking up four quick fouls. You didn’t want to come out of the ballgame, you probably knew why.”

Thomas Gillespie

“I’m a competitor, so it’s kinda hard to sit on the bench. And so that’s why I got frustrated, but we just needed to come down, relax, we pulled it off.”

Changing gears folks, let’s head out to Rogers Stadium where game two of the female softball championship series between C.T.C. and Lady Rebels is in full effect Sunday evening.

In the early innings, Carla Humes deadly control shows up, shutting down C.T.C. in two straight innings. Things begin to fall apart though in the third. Christina Avila steps up with a runner on first and it hits Humes hard to bring in the first run of the ballgame.

Talk about hazards of the game, Carla Humes gets plunked in the back of the head by Sharette Swazo en route to second, but she would survive this ordeal.

It’s getting late, so Lady Rebels manager Leslie Rogers calls for a powwow on the mound. C.T.C. manager Greg Moguel responds by talking to his American star Casey.

With the bases loaded, Lo and behold it’s a base clearing triple for Casey. Yeah, you’re big man!

Team C.T.C. goes on to win game two 11-zip and sweep to take the female softball title in 2002. Congratulations are in order to Greg Moguel and company.

Hey Leslie Rogers, you’re a step behind, you settle for the sub-champions. Congratulations nevertheless, you did get pass Raymond Lashley.

Also, we want to say congratulations to Rookies, who pummelled Dantos 9-5 yesterday at Rogers Stadium to take the male softball title in a two game sweep.

That’s our show for today folks, we invite you back same time, same place, next week. Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.