Central Division Takes All Star Game 150-145
April 14, 2013 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada) News Release
(SAINT JOHN, NB): The National Basketball League of Canada All Star Game, presented by LiUNA, was played today in Saint John at Harbour Station in front of 2000 fans. The Central Division took the win over the Atlantic Division with a final score of 150-145.
The Central Division took an early lead out of the gate but with 5:20 left in the first, the Atlantic Division were able to catch up to tie the game, 20-20.
With just over 4 minutes left in the first, a slam dunk from Canadian Moncton Miracles' player Kamar Burke, helped give the Atlantic Division a 5 point lead.
With 3 minutes left, Darren Duncan of the Central Division (former Mill Rat and Halifax Rainmen) lob passed to game MVP Marvin Phillips for a dunk, closing the gap to 25-27, Atlantic Division still ahead.
The Atlantic Division was able to keep their lead closing the first, 34-35.
The Central Division ramped up their game in the second and third quarters, outscoring the Atlantic Division 41-34 (second) and 45-35 (third). Both teams battled back and forth in the second, but the Central Division closed the half leading 75-69.
At the half, Devin Sweetney of the Miracles led the Atlantic Division with 18 points while Antonio Ballard of the Summerside Storm had 10. Marvin Phillips of the London Lightning led the Central Division with 15 points while Greg Surmacz (Canadian) from the Windsor Express had 12.
The Central Division took the lead in the third and kept it for the remainder of the game. An alley oop from Nick Okorie off the steal from Canadian player, Antwi Atuahene, resulted in the Ford Drive of the Game with 7:10 left in the third, putting the Central Division up 96-81. They kept their lead, closing the third ahead 120-104.
The fourth quarter, the Atlantic Division battled back outscoring the Central Division but they could not pull ahead. They were able to chip away and close the gap to within 5 points. A dunk from Devin Sweetney ended the game, 150-145.
Marvin Phillips of the London Lightning was awarded MVP of the game, getting a double double with 37 points and 14 rebounds. Phillips was also named the "Newcomer of the Year" at the NBLCanada Awards breakfast this morning.
Behind Phillips, the Central Division was supported by Tim Ellis of the Lightning with 26 points, Papa Oppong with 21 and Antwi Atuahene who grabbed a double double with 16 points and 17 assists.
Leading the Atlantic Division was Antonio Ballard and Devin Sweetney, each with 28 points. Ballard got a double double with 11 boards. Mill Rats' Jerice Crouch also had a double double, getting 15 points and 15 assists.
Atlantic Conference All Stars:
Jerice Crouch 6'0 PG Saint John Mill Rats
Joey Haywood 6'1 G Halifax Rainmen (Canadian)
Brandon Robinson 6'6 G-F Summerside Storm
Isaac Butts 6'11 C Moncton Miracles
Devin Sweetney 6'6 G-F Moncton Miracles
Al Stewart 5'11 PG Summerside Storm
Kamar Burke 6'5 G-F Moncton Miracles (Canadian)
Chris Cayole 6'7 F Summerside Storm (Canadian)
Omari Johnson 6'9 F Summerside Storm
Steve Deluca 6'7 F Saint John Mill Rats
The Head Coach for the Atlantic Division All Star Team was Joe Salerno Jr. from the Summerside Storm.
Central Division Conference All Stars:
Darren Duncan 5'11 PG Windsor Express
Nick Okorie 6'1 G Oshawa Power
Tim Ellis 6'5 F London Lightning
Marvin Philips 6'8 F London Lightning
Elvin Mims 6'6 F London Lightning
Antwi Atuahene 6'3 PG London Lightning (Canadian)
Papa Oppong 6'4 G Oshawa Power (Canadian)
J.R. Harrison 6'7 F Montreal Jazz
Greg Surmacz 6'8 F Windsor Express (Canadian)
Chris Common 6'8 F Windsor Express
The Head Coach for the Atlantic Division All Star Team was Michael Ray Richardson from the London Lightning.
The game featured a half time performance from Juno-winner Garrett Mason and next generation guitar slinger Keith Hallett.
The NBL Canada Legends Game and Skills Competitions took place on Saturday afternoon, April 13th at Harbour Station. Over 2200 fans enjoyed the entertainment put on by the top players in the league.
Steve Deluca of the Saint John Mill Rats was the winner of the Saint John Ale House Three Point Shootout while Stefan Bonneau was the winner of the Saint John Airport High Fliers Dunk Contest.
National Basketball League of Canada Stories from April 14, 2013
- Storm Season Wrap-Up Celebration Monday at 7 Pm - Summerside Storm
- Central Division Takes All Star Game 150-145 - NBL Canada
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