Anthony Minott, Freelance Writer Shooting Guard Baldom Todd lit up the Edgewater Community Centre Basketball court in Portmore on Saturday night, sparking the flame that kept debutants Majesty Gardens' hope alive for a KFC National Basketball League (NBL), mid-season final berth. Todd scored 32 points, grabbed eight rebounds and drained three, three pointers in his team's 94-76 blow-out of Blazing Panthers.
Todd, formerly of Denham Town Comprehensive High School, was delighted with his performance.
"I think I played a good game and my teammates supported well too," explained Todd.
The 25-year-old shooting guard, said that he was a skilful footballer but broke his left arm during a game. He decided from then on that he would switch to basketball, and now he is shining in the glory.
One win away
His team is just a win away from possibly making the mid-season final in their first year in the big league.
Todd got major support from consistent high scorer Kemar McLeish, who contributed 19 points, nine rebounds and six steals, while Barrington Berry added 13 points. Kirk Ferguson (16) and Desmond Harriott (14) were Blazing Panthers' main scorers.
Todd, who is his team's leader, said that he welcomed the move by the NBL to play some of the games at the Edgewater Community Centre in Portmore.
Good transformation
"It is a good transformation from the stadium. Now more people can be exposed to the NBL," he said.
The win pushed Majesty Gardens to a 7-3 win-loss record and 17 points, with a game in hand. They will enhance their chances of advancing to the mid-season finals if they beat Arnett Gardens. That would set up a three-way tie between Urban Knights (8-3) and Denham Town Wizards (8-3) for second spot and in that case, points differential will be used to separate the teams.
Defending champions, St. George's Slayers have already qualified. In the opening game on Saturday, Kwame Lawrence led Arnett Gardens Rockers to a 78-51 whipping of newcomers Pure Playaz from Portland. Lawrence scored 22 points, and Ian Gooden supported with 17 points. Dale McHayle (14) and Jeffrey Ivy (13) were the highest scorers for the losers.
