Panthers defeat tough Trinidad team

By Charlene Slaughter

 

A problem with the air conditioner at a local university turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the Trinidad and Tobago Hoops Classic. The tournament was moved to different locations throughout the island, allowing people from more areas the opportunity to see the game of basketball in an area where cricket is king.

 

Phillip Brown looks to pass.

 

“It was a good game but we made it hard on ourselves because we missed so many free throws,” said Coach Ron Woodard. “The Trinidad team played a good game.”

 

Senior Earnest Sinkfield hit a three-pointer to close out the third quarter and pull a trailing Claflin team to within four points, 57-53. The two teams traded leads as Claflin’s Karl Ray caught fire, scoring eight points to pull Claflin within reach of the lead. Sinkfield found a familiar spot behind the arc for another three points to give Claflin a 65-63 lead late in the game. The Panthers held on to take the win, with Sinkfield scoring a game-high 28 points, Ray adding 21 points and Phillip Brown with 19.

 

Leading the Southern Region All-Stars in a balanced attack for Trinidad were Ako Pascal with 16 points, Michael Pantin with 15 Derrick Boskill 11, and Gerard Moore with 10.

 

“We’re used to these kinds of games right here,” said Sports Information Director Dr. Lionell Sabb who was confident that the Panthers would come back in the fourth quarter and win. “These types of game seem to be the only ones we play.”

 

Sinkfield hit the ground running in the first quarter, scoring 16 of the team’s 23 points, many from behind the three point arc. Claflin led 23-18 at the end of the first quarter.

 

Earnest Sinkfield shoots a free throw.

The scrappy Trinidad All-stars, led by the scoring of Pascal, Louis Davis and Moore, tied the game at 29 with just over six minutes left in the second quarter. Claflin went on to earn its largest lead of the game at seven. The Trinidad team came back with three straight buckets to pull to within one with one minute left in the half.

 

 

 

 

A Trinidad free throw tied the game at 30-all with 36 seconds left before the half. Claflin’s Ray missed four free throws down the stretch and the Trinidad All-stars took a two point lead, 41-39, at the half, as their fans came alive.  Claflin plays again on Thursday at 6 p.m.