It was all blue from Sai’Quon Stone’s first bucket in the first to Monyath Makoi’s lay-up in the waning seconds of the 4th.  Never trailing is a good game plan and simple formula to success.  Coach Bobby Cunningham may not have planned it like that, but he no doubt appreciates the outcome.

Eastern was consistent in the first three quarters, but when you don't break 15pts in a quarter until the fourth that consistency will not pay dividends in the win column.

24 turnovers by the Eastern men and 14 steals by Centrals (led by Ricardo Martin 4 and Nelson Larkins 3) equals dunks (notably David Earl...all arms, legs and dominant airborne displays) and plenty of opportunities for Koen Sapwell to fill up the basket, leading all scorers with 22, going 5-9 from long range.  When Koen scored the first 13 points for Centrals in the third you knew a statement was being made - Koen 13, Eastern 14 in the 3rd quarter.  Up by 24, Koen took a seat to mighty roars from the Lion’s den having just outscored the opponent 13-3 in 5 minutes.

Add in Nelson Larkins’ 10 rebounds and Makoi’s 14pts, 14 rebound performance and you have a whole bunch of Lions singing their team song out of tune at the right place at the right time - centre court leaving Eastern behind 85-69 after the final buzzer.

Photo Credit: Tanya Fielding