Tema Central beat Flashlights of Tema New Town 44-40 at the Community 4 Basketball Court to win the maiden edition of the Ebi Bright Basketball Tournament after a lively first quarter gave the side a 15-5 lead.
The one day tournament had four male teams and two female teams compete under the watch of Ghana Youth and Sports Minister Nii Lante Vanderpuye and National Democratic Congress Candidate for Tema Central Constituency Ebi Bright.
Bright fully funded the tournmament mere days after renovating the court’s lighting system.
Tema Point Guards Kent Fosu and Aninagyei Osei were unstoppable as the pair outplayed Flashlights Guard duo of Patrick Gomerli and Kingsley Quist. Osei slowed down possession off a fastbreak finding Fosu to go one on one against Quist for a quick crossover and a drive to the basket. Forward Emmanuel Ofori pitched in with a couple of points.
Veteran Guard Benjamin Debrah started the second quarter for Flashlights and the move paid dividends early on in the quarter as Debrah drove hard to the basket to score.
Gomerli did same in the next possession but got fouled before completing the three point play to give Flashlights a seven nothing run to cut the deficit to three. Matter remained close in the remaining quarters with substitutes David Laryea, Jibril Musah and Solomon Oppong making key plays for Tema.
Laryea converted all three free throw attempts to give Tema a 25-22 lead. Athletic Center Gershon Dzorvor came off Flashlights bench to double down on New Town’s efforts on the boards.
Kent Fosu sank a three point shot to effectively end the game as the shot gave Tema 41-34 lead with less than a minute to play. A late three point shot from Gomerli proved too little too late as Tema ended the game 44-40 winners.
For his outstanding performances in the tournament including a 36-27 win over much fancied Nungua Coldstore in the opening game.
