Ryan Philogene picked up where he left off last season, as the Saint Lucia Basketball Federation tipped off the KFC National Basketball League season on Saturday, March 7, at the Beausejour Gymnasium. Jets crushed Morne Gladiators 77-56, whilst Bonne Terre Blazers outlasted defending champions Soufriere Kings, 70-63.
Philogene scored 28 points and added 11 rebounds in the winning cause for Jets, who also got 12 points and four rebounds from newcomer Ajani Ferdinand. Pakel Gumbs was one point shy of a double-double with nine points and 12 rebounds. Jets led 21-12 after the first quarter and 35-24 at the half.
For Morne Gladiators, Joel Desrivieres, Cletuson Leon, and Jazaniah Blanchard chipped in with 10 points each. New acquisition Junior Dupre led the balanced scoring effort with 16 points.
The second half of the doubleheader was a finals rematch between Kings and Blazers. An early seesaw battle saw a shorthanded Soufriere opening a two-point lead, 15-13, after the first period. A strong second quarter widened the gap to 38-24 going into the halftime interval, despite missing senior basketballer of the year, Sidney Didier and dynamic point guard Kimani Charles.
The Blazers began to come back behind KFC Player of the Game, Andre Louison, winning the quarter 23-21, but still trailing by double digits. In the fourth, however, Kings were held to just five points, whilst debut head coach Nye Guard pulled all the right strings on offence to pull away for the dramatic win, their first in the last four games against the champions.
Louison finished with 26 points and seven assists for the Blazers. Elwin added nine points, including a dagger three-pointer in the fourth, and four steals. Troy Louison chipped in with nine points, seven rebounds, and five assists, whilst Orin Thomas added nine points and 11 rebounds in their win.
Carrying the ship for Soufriere was Jayzee Saltibus who finished with 16 points and a monster 19 rebounds. Ferguson Kezman and Linzell Alcee each had 13 points.
Games continue this Wednesday, March 11, from 6:30 pm with newcomers Fired Up Fitness vs East Coast Academy.
