Barbados Today

Executive Air Dover are breathing easier after recovering from three quarters down to win game two of the best-of-three basketball finals, 84-72, over Hawks Sunday at the Barbados Community College.

After three quarters of the Barbados Amateur Basketball Association Division One final the score read 14-18, 31-41 and 58-56 but a determined effort from Dover in the fourth quarter meant they levelled the series 1-1 to force a third and decisive showdown.

Hawks had the trophy in the palm of their hands but allowed it to slip. Dover were down by at least 14 points in the latter stages of the third quarter when Godfrey Leacock, with a game-high 28 points, and his teammates began to show more urgency on the offensive end.

Also having a good game for Dover were Ryan Lewis with 23 points, Craig McKenzie, 11, Jason Bowen, ten and Seon Hillman, nine. Daniel Durant top-scored for Hawks with 23 points.

Perhaps seeing the trophy in the hands of BABA president Derrick Garrett at courtside gave Dover major motivation as they began to steady themselves, work the ball around while at the same time keeping Shaquan Newton and Tremaine Shaw of Hawks quiet while Leacock, Hillman and Lewis worked their magic to cut the deficit by two at the end of the third quarter. Newton with 15 points and Shaw 14 were the other two players into double figure for Hawks.

When the fourth period began Durant scored a basket and it was from that moment on Dover began to really up the pace with Leacock nailing a deep trey followed by Hillman with a two that gave the men from Christ Church the lead 61-60.

The scoreboard kept ticking over until Dover began to distance themselves with under two minutes left to play at 79-72 when Leacock and Lewis finished the game in style scoring a three-pointer and a two-point basket respectively.

The third and decisive encounter is scheduled for tomorrow at the YMCA at 7 p.m.