The defending champions Boys Dem took it to former five time champions Hoyas on Friday in the Ronald Charles gymnasium on the Central High campus, blowing them out by 31 points, 90-59, to literally complete the changing of the guards in St. Croix summer league basketball. The Boys Dem squad has grown up together and last year jelled into a championship team, while the Hoyas who reigned supreme for years in the league are looking more and more like an aged team on their way down the pecking order.
Boys Dem point guard, Kadeem Jones, got them off to a hot start as he lit up the nets for 10 first quarter points to help his team outscore the Hoyas, 23-15 in the opening period.
A 21-16 second quarter by the champs and the lead was 13 at the half at 44-31.
The Boys Dem lead would swell to as much as 20 points in the third period, but the old warriors that are the Hoyas, battled back to get to within eight just past the midway point of the quarter. This prompt coach Keith “Zoro” Swanston called a timeout to settle his young team down. However the Hoyas third quarter rally had them within 10 points at the end on the period as they trailed 61-51 heading into the fourth.
During the short intermission, Coach Swanston really got after his players, for their lackadaisical play. His team responded in the fourth by exploding for 29 points while defensively holding the Hoyas to just eight. It was Jones again, leading the way with 14 points in the final period to crush any hopes the Hoyas may have had.
“We played well, but the team is lacking gym time”, said coach Swanston. “it so hard to get them in the gym to practice”. Well the team that was on display on Monday looked pretty good. One shudders to think what they would be like if they did practice.
Jones finished with a game-high 24 points. He also dished out seven assists and grabbed six rebounds. Teammates Amedius Derweer added 16, Saleem Ross had 13 points, Rasheed Swanston 12 and Wilson Ferrance finished with 12 points, seven Rebounds and nine assists. For the Hoyas Kurt John netted 15 points and hauled down a game-high 18 rebounds, Warren Christian added 14 and Edie Castillo finished with 10.
