Robert Bailey, Gleaner WriterMAJESTY GARDENS defeated Waterhouse Blazers 67-66 in Game One of their best-of-three series in the LPG Southern Conference basketball finals at the National Stadium Courts on Thursday.
In a fiercely contested match-up, Majesty Gardens came out with all guns blazing and quickly capitalised on some poor defence plays by the Blazers which led to Majesty Gardens captain Baldon Todd scoring 15 of his 28 points in the first period to end the quarter 18-13.
Playing in front of a capacity crowd in a carnival-like atmosphere, the second quarter was also closely contested as both teams set the tempo of the game with Majesty Gardens on holding a five point led at half-time, 35-30.
In the third stanza, the Blazers went to their bench and it paid off as Kirk Shaw scored five unanswered points to tie the game 46-46 with less than two minutes remaining, prompting the Majesty Gardens team to call a time out. The quarter ended 52-50 in favour of Majesty Gardens.
Todd was well supported by teammate Kemar McLeish with 24 points and eight assists and Chris Berry, 16 points and seven rebounds, while Raymond Lade had a game-high 30 points and six assists for the Blazers.
The fourth quarter was mouth-watering as both teams traded basket for basket. The Blazers tied the game with less than 40 seconds remaining and the Blazers spectators were then chanting "Firehouse, Firehouse". However, national junior player McLeish was fouled in a drive to the basket, then made one of two free throws to give Majesty Gardens the narrow victory.
