The 38th edition of the Barbados Workers’ Union’s Netball Tournament climaxed on Monday night at the Netball Stadium with the crowning of three queens, with no final being more spectacular than the one-goal overtime coronation of Shottas United.
Led by a game-high 34 goals from 42 attempts from national invitee Nikita Cyrus, Shottas overcame a 6-8 first quarter deficit and two-goal margins in overtime to pip Goodride Ballers 40-39.
Goodride had also lost 38-41 in the previous league clash with Shottas.
With the very big crowd of spectators caught up in the excitement, Shottas held 15-13 and 25-23 leads in the second and third quarters before Goodride locked the scores at 33 at the end of regular time. But, taking the advantage at 37-35 and 38-36 proved meaningless, as Goodride made several rushed plays and costly turnovers which cost them the win.
Cyrus used her height to snare high passes tossed into the attack circle, confounding defenders Tamara Trotman, Danicia King and Stephian Shepherd, who was later switched from midcourt in a bid to halt the points outflow.
At the other end, a smiling Samantha Small, with 25 of 33, kept Goodride on track, but timid supporting shooting of 14/26 from Kerry Clarke hurt Goodride. Panic also hurt Goodride, with Shottas’ tough Davina Young and her midcourt taking advantage of Goodride’s errant late game play.
There was also a tense one-goal finale in the Linda Brooks Zone, with Steve’s Building Works edging Police Boys and Girls Club 31-30.Â
The game should not have ended so close after Building Works held quarters’ leads of 10-5, 20-10 and 24-20, but Police fought back well.
Leandra Goodman was almost perfect for Building Works with a 20/21 shooting performance while Emisha Barrow added 11/21. Police’s Heather Belle led all scorers with 24/32 shooting, with Karen Alleyne contributing 6/9.
Warriors found their crowning easier in the Ulric Sealy Zone by overcoming NIS Ballers 27-21 after leading 7-6, 13-11 and 20-17.Â
Kieanna James scored 14/17 and Tiana Catlyn 13/15 to give a perfect birth night gift to manager Sandra Watson. Renata Hazell countered with 17/23 and Lynette Holder 4/7 for NIS.
The night’s drama was established in the battles for third place, with Rapid Response needing overtime to blunt St James Stilettos 33-30 in the Ulric Sealy Zone.
Response had moved from 5-8 and 9-10 to lead 20-15 before the game ended 24-all at the end of regulation time.
Elite lived up to their name in taking the third spot in the Linda Brooks Zone from Momentum Ballers 24-20.
Ballers lost their momentum after leading 6-4 at the end of the first quarter to fade to 9-9 and 12-18. (KB)
