Craig “Big Smooth” Williams scored 30 points and grabbed 20 boards to power the surprising Kings to a 72-64 victory over Boys Dem in a matchup of the league’s last two remaining unbeaten teams Wednesday night at the Ronald Charles Gymnasium.
It was the game many fans were waiting to see and the largest crowd of the season at the gym was a testament to that.
With the fans loudly urging on their respective teams, the game was everything everyone expected and then some.
Boys Dem looked good early and just seemed to outhustle the Kings. However, after losing the first quarter 20-17 and trailing by 10 with three minutes left in the half, the youthful Kings began to hit their stride. They went on a 19-14 run to close out the half trailing by just five at intermission at 43-38.
The Kings’ momentum continued to build in the third, while the talented Boys Dem squad, as a result of some good Kings defense and probably poor decision making on their part, were becoming unraveled. Led by Williams and Stephen O’Reilly, the Kings outscored Boys Dem 19-10 in the period to take the lead for good at 57-53 after three quarters.
The fourth and final quarter was as physical as they come with both teams giving their all. Boys Dem would get as close as three points after Glenroy Coggins floater made the score 65-62, but O’Reilly came right back and answered with a three, to the delight of the Kings crowd, to extend the lead to six at 68-62.
Kings guard Omari “Movado” Eastman, although the stats may not show it, was a big reason for the Kings’ success in the game but especially in the fourth when other players were tiring. His full-throttle style of play on both sides of the ball was a constant thorn in the side of Boys Dem as he was able to force them into several turnovers.
The Kings would hold on for hard earned 72-64 victory to now be the only undefeated team in the league.
Other Kings players in double figures were Devante Pryce, who knocked down 16, and O’Reilly who scored all 10 of his in the second half during crunch time.
Zomari Swanston led Boys Dem with 14 points, Salim Ross had 12, and Rasheed Swanston finished with 11.
