A fight ended Monday night’s NBBA basketball contest between the Hoyas and Boys Dem with 1:21 left in the third period. It was a shameful end to what was a great, entertaining game between two of the league’s elite teams that fans from both side were really enjoying.
However, a conflict developed between a couple of point guards in the back court, punches were thrown, benches cleared and it was a full-on melee. Luckily police and security forces were on hand to restore order some 30 minutes later. But with tempers still sky-high the game was called, and the Hoyas who were leading 36-34 at the time was awarded the victory.
The game was as defensive as anyone had seen in the league with neither team giving an inch. After Boys Dem led for most of the first half, the Hoyas closed on a run that propelled them to a halftime lead at 26-24. Eddie Castillo netted eight points in the half to lead the Hoyas, while Raheem Swanston had seven for the Boys.
The third period was a very physical one with some very hard fouls. The score was already at 36-34 when an extremely hard foul was committed with no call. This prompted one fan to remark, “They [the referees] are not calling any fouls out there!” To which his friend replied “Yea mon, they are losing control of the game.”
Less than two minutes after that exchange it was pandemonium in the gym. However, it must be said that until that third quarter, the referees did a good job. However, the players also need to be more respectful of one another and learn to show more restraint.
Especially since most have their parents, wives, siblings and even their kids watching. This, however, sets the stage for a very exciting playoff which begins on Wednesday. Hopefully, the players can concentrate on getting back to playing basketball and not gladiators.
Castillo and Kurt John led the Hoyas with 10 apiece, while Terrel Christian had a game-high 11 for Boys Dem, with teammate Swanston chipping in with seven.
In the night’s early game, the defending champions Guidance had six players in double figures as they outlasted the league’s last unbeaten team, the Kings, 90-87. Leading the way for the champs was Shakeem Edwards with 22 point, Eric McBean with 18 points, three others finished with 12 and one with 10 points. The Kings were led by Stephen O’Reilly with a game-high 27 points and Craig Williams with 22.
