NPBA Playoffs: Stingers, High Flyers take 2-1 leads

THE PJ Stingers and the Breezes High Flyers are both now one game away from returning to the New Providence Basketball Association’s championship series.

On Friday night at the AF Adderley Gymnasium, the Stingers took a 2-1 lead over the Discount Distributors Rockets with a 79-74 victory in the division one feature contest.

And in the division II opener, the defending champions High Flyers flew past the Aliv Bucket 103-82 to also snatch a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five semi-final series.

Game four in their series is scheduled for 7:30pm tonight. If any of the two series have to go to a fifth and deciding game, they are slated to play Wednesday.

The winner of the division II series will meet the Your Essential Store Giants in the championship after they swept aside the Triple K Stampers, completing the series on Thursday night with a 94-92 decision.

And the winner of the division one encounter between the Stingers and the Rockets will take on the Commonwealth Bank Giants, who remain undefeated this season as they also swept the University of the Bahamas Mingoes, winning the clincher 92-66 on Thursday.

Stingers 79,

Rockets 74

All five PJ’s starters scored in double figures to lead in their victory. Eugene Bain controlled the tempo with a game high 28 points with five rebounds.

Randy Williams had 14 points, six rebounds and five assists, Brian Bain had 14 points, six assists and two rebounds, Devon Ferguson had 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals and Salathiel Dean helped out with 13 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and four stelas.

In a losing effort for the Discount Distributors, Lerecus Armbrister came off the bench with 25 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals, Georgio Walkes also got off the bench with 21 points and six assists off the bench as well.

Ltyndrick Storr had 11 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals to lead all starters.

Breezes High Flyers 103,

Aliv Bucket 82

Dave Davis scored 23 points with 10 rebounds, three steals and as many blocks to pace Breezes to their rout.

Shantoin Pratt had 22 points, 20 assists and eight rebounds, Jeremy Neely added 15 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Dario Saunders came off the bench with 17 points and five rebounds and Brendon Stubbs joined him with 11 points and six rebounds.

Aliv had two players in double figures with Dylan Musgrove pouring in a game high 38 points with 10 rebounds, two assists and as many steals and Detarrio Thompson chipped in with 26 points, five assists and four rebounds.