For second win of season as playoffs approach

By Shavaughn Moss

NG Sports Reporter

The RM Bailey Pacers senior boys chalked up their second win of the season as the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) prepares to head into the playoffs.

It was the battle of the bottom bowl yesterday at the AF Adderley gym, as the Pacers trampled the CC Sweeting Cobras 73-60 in an impressive win.

Knowing the playoffs are out of the picture for them, the Pacers certainly let it all hang out yesterday.

The Pacers showed that they meant business going on a 17-4 run in the first quarter. The aggressive style of play must have caught the Cobras off guard as they couldn't pray much of anything into the basket. At the half, the Pacers led by 12 (32-20).

Going into the second half the Cobras seemed to settle, rallied and began to get their offensive game going, while the Pacers fell apart as they fell into foul trouble, and had to keep a number of their big men on the bench.

Going into the final quarter, the Cobras found themselves down by a mere eight points (47-39).

Although they tried, the Cobras could not keep up the offensive pressure, as the Pacers outscored them by five points in the final period (26-21) for the 73-60 win.

Julius Russell finished with 18 points to lead the Pacers scoring charge. Deniro Wells finished the night with 16, and Tony Ferguson and Kenny McPhee contributed 10 points each.

For the losing Cobras, Jay Phillips scored a game high 19 points. Akem Todd finished with 15.

It was a win Pacers coach Charles "Chuck" Mackey looked like he thoroughly enjoyed, as he was drenched in perspiration by the final whistle.

"It was a good effort. I enjoyed the game and had fun," he said, adding that the win was good for the team, as they prepare for the Hugh Campbell tournament.

With the win, the Pacers improve to 2-8 on the season, and Mackey was happy for the [young men].

"They stuck with it, even though we've lost some games and were basically blown out of the gym. But this team is not made up of a bunch of really experienced ball players, and if we had more guys who had the heart and stickability, we could have won more games, but I'm sure the [youngsters] had fun. And no matter the losses, they will remember this win," he said with pride on his face.

The Cobras fall to 2 and 9 after yesterday's trouncing and coach Peniel Bain wasn't too happy. "It was a dismal performance on the offensive end, and because we weren't able to score that transcended into the game being a blow out," he said.

Caption: AIRBORNE - RM Bailey Pacers Christian P glides up to score during Tuesday's Government Secondary Schools Sports senior boys game against The CC Sweeting Cobras at the AF Adderley Gym. Staff Photo by Donald Knowles

Posted: Wednesday February 4, 2004