From jump to the first quarter break, each team found a way to play their own game. Deng’s (Forestville) dunk from a half-court set to points in transition for the Flames got the ARC buzzing.  A chippy, chirpy tone was set as Norwood’s imports Jerrel Sanders and Ahmad Starks delivered on several 1-2 combos.  The two teams were knotted at 22 points each by the end of the 1st with no love gained or lost between the longtime rival clubs.

Into the 2nd and a buzzer beater by Starks saw the halftime score tilt 11 points in favour of Norwood.  

Third quarter Antonio Garrett for Forestville downloaded his game quickly dropping 6 points, a steal and a defensive rebound in the first minute of the 3rd quarter. Norwood went 0-2 at the line, however Sanders’ hunger saw him rattle in 6 consecutive points for Norwood.  Nonetheless, patient post from Forestville play ticked off the lead keeping the game within 10 half way through the third.

Prior to points in rapid succession by the Eagles, only a net that held the ball an uncomfortable extra second was able to slow Norwood.  Then the tides shifted. Rios adds back to back pull up jumpers, the latter at the 3Q buzzer to tie up the game going into the final period.

Norwood's Andrew & Daniel Webber combined for the first 2 points of the fourth and the flow was on...for Forestville. 4 minutes would pass before another 2 points were added for the Flames. Norwood turnovers and a Forestville block party with everyone from the point guard to centre serving up rejections to the intimidated Flames. A 3 from Jake Rios saw Forestville now holding down a 6 point lead with 6 and half minutes to go in the game.  KB calls a timeout and the boys respond with a quick turnover.  Bet that wasn’t drawn up like that.  Norwood’s energy lifts, but 2 missed gimmes at the rim stall the comeback. 

Deng drops in another dunk and Forestville are in control with a 74-68 lead.  A jumper from the corner from Deng and we all get the sense the nails in Norwood’s coffin are being prepped.  The Flames don’t help their cause with another blown layup.  The salivating crowd enjoyed a big throw down by Jerrel giving us a chance at a back and forth ending.  However with easy points from Forestville bigs (Deng & Wright) the leads remains at 5 with under 30s.  Wright slowly goes to work again, this time drawing a foul.

This game came down to dominant Forestville big men controlling the paint and a physical style of play that initially looked to be distracting the Eagles, but with steady application, steered the game back towards the visitor’s favour.

With 12 points in the 4th, Majok Deng proved to be a major force in sealing the 87-77 Eagles victory.