TT scores big 104-84 win!
by Albert-Lee Young
Team TT scored an emphatic 104-84 win over Mexico LNBP pro team and tournament host Leon Lecheuros on Wednesday at their home court.
Playing in front of a partisan crowd TT ceased the initiative by controlling the tempo within a dominant presence in the paint and an effective perimeter display.
Led by Maurice Joseph with a top score of 27 points, Ian Young with 17pts & 8 assists and team captain Kibwe Trim with a double-double, 15pts & 13 rebounds, TT ran up as much as a 27 points advantage in the game. For the second consecutive game, Joseph put up another outstanding shooting display hitting 9-11.
But there were some concerns when he collided with an opposing player and needed urgent medical attention. Fortunately it was only a sprained finger and he is expected to resume playing within a couple days.
Also contributing was Steven Lighter Lewis and Wendell Carter with 10pts apiece while Co-captain Wilfred Spongy Benjamin chipped in with 8pts, Joel Haywood added 6pts and Kenyatta Alfred got 5pts.
TT next game is against Cuba national team on Friday. This will be a huge challenge as Cuba has an unblemished record against TT in the past two decades.
Lewis lights up Mexico!
Albert-Lee Young
Steven Lighter Lewis hit a game high 24 points to lead TT to a comfortable 88-78 win against a San Diego Sports Agency team in Leon, Mexico on Saturday night.
Following the tough overtime loss against Cuba the previous night, Coach Terry Layton treated the contest as an international friendly. All twelve players on TT roster enjoyed adequate court time against their opponents who had at least eight US-based players seeking pro contracts.
From the start of the tip off TT controlled the game and gained an early 28-21 first quarter advantage. In the second quarter the San Diego team levelled the scoring 21-21 but TT still held its lead, 49-42 by the end of the first half.
In the third period TT outscored their opponents 20-17 and held on for its third win of the tournament. With the victory TT remain in second place with a 3-1 record.
Also contributing for TT were Maurice Joseph with 13 points, Joel Haywood 12, Kibwe Trim 8, Wilfred Benjamin 7, Wendell Carter 7, Richard Guiseppi 6 and Julius Ashby 4. Ian Young and Reginald George were rested due to injuries whilst Akin Hughes-Joseph is expected to play his first game today against Peru.
In the other game played Cuba scored its second successive overtime victory. Trailing by as much as 13 points with 7 minutes remaining in the contest, Cuba fought back to steal the win over a Brazilian professional team. They improved their record to 4-0 whilst Brazil dropped to 3-1.
TT will play Peru on Sunday, Brazil on Tuesday andwill travel to Queretaro on Wednesday for a game against an LNPB pro team.
Cuba beat TT
by Albert-Lee Young
Cuba national team registered a hard fought 98-92 overtime victory over Trinidad & Tobago in the Mexican 200 Anniversary Basketball tournament hosted by the state of Guanajuato and pro team Lechugueros de Leon.
Both national teams are preparing for the Centro Basket Championships and with the win Cuba maintained its unbeaten 3-0 record whilst TT dropped to 2-1.
With the game played at a higher level altitude in the city of Dolres Hildago the TT players experienced breathing challenges and despite the setback rallied from a 51-43 deficit at the end of the first half.
With seconds remaining in the fourth period forward Maurice Joseph scored to level the game 82-82. On the next possession Joseph stole the ball and passed to Ian Young whose intended pass to Kibwe Trim was intercepted on the buzzer.
During extra time Cuba outscored TT 16-10 to lead the standings in the tournament.
In a post game comment, the Cuban coaching staff stated that this was the best TT team they have seen and that TT really improved since their last meeting.
For TT Steven Lewis and Ian Young top scored with 18 pts each while Kibwe Trim added 17pts, Maurice Joseph 12 and Julius Ashby chipped in with 8pts.
TT improves 4-1
by Albert-Lee Young
Trinidad and Tobago national team secured its fourth win in Mexico on Sunday night with a 63-41 defeat over an Avacation team from Peru. With the victory TT improved its record to 4-1.
The game got off to a slow start as TT struggled in the opening period. With Steven Lewis picking up an early injury and with starters Julius Ashby and Ian Young out due to sickness, TT experienced its lowest offensive game of the tournament falling behind 6-9 at the end of the first quarter. 6-11 forward Reginald George, who was substituted for Lewis, was eventually sidelined due to a groin injury.
In the second half coach Layton switched to a 1-2-2 Match-Up Zone and TT outscored their opponents for a slender 24-23 lead. By the end of the third period the Peruvian team trailed by as much as 28-47. TT controlled the final period despite a late surge from their opponents and when on to finish off the game for a comfortable win.
For TT, Maurice Joseph was the only player in double figures with 13 points. Wilfred Benjamin had 9 while Joel Haywood, Devougn Lamont and Reginald George each scored 7pts apiece.
On Tuesday team TT will play a very tough Brazilian professional team which lost to Cuba in overtime.
