LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter
Police's Marlon Millis (with ball) attempts a lay-up as he is challenged by Blazing Panthers' Winston Wong (in air) during their Homestyle Juices Division One Basketball League match at the National Stadium on Sunday. Looking on are Nathaniel McIntosh (left) and Djuvane Brown. Police won 71-56. - Photo by LeVaughn Flynn
POLICE WERE taking no prisoners in Sunday's Homestyle Juices Division One Basketball League match as they romped to their third straight victory with a 71-56 win over Blazing Panthers at the National Stadium courts.
Back-to-back, high-flying slam dunks highlighted the first quarter, giving the lawmen a 21-16 lead at the end of the first quarter and this proved to be the impetus they needed to maintain the lead and stave off late surges by Panthers. Police also led 33-25 at the half and 49-40 after three quarters.
"We were stronger and more focused on the game and I think that gave us the edge," said Police coach Craig Sterling.
Marlon Millis had a game-high 29 points and Benjamin Atkinson added 14 to lead the winners, who started the season with two losses to Hagley Park Thorns and Swift Sons A.
Panthers, who have lost three of their five games, had major contributions from Philip Anderson (17 points, six rebounds), Djuvane Brown (14 points, nine rebounds) and Winston Wong (10 points, 18 rebounds).
Surprise
Police were effective on the fastbreaks at the start of the game and seemed to have caught Panthers by surprise with the way they attacked the basket. Shad Walters delivered two powerful slam dunks which gave his team some momentum.
Panthers collected themselves by the second quarter and had an inside presence thanks to Brown and Wong. However, each time they made a run, they committed an unforced turnover which Police converted at the other end.
In other games on the weekend, Seaview Flames had the biggest win, hammering Duhaney Park 83-38.
Mustangs thumped Central Village 64-42. Tamar Heron led the former national champions with 22 points and eight rebounds, and Wesley Weston added 11 points. Hermon Tulloch had a team-high 14 points for Central Village. Akeem Swaby collected 17 points and 13 rebounds as Old Harbour Blazers scorched Gordon Pen Burnaz 80-53.
