Albury, Edgecombe see action this past weekend

Bahamian basketball players Deyton Albury, left, and Gareth Edgecombe both got injured playing in the Phenom Challenge in Rock Hill, South Carolina, this past weekend. The Defenders finished with a 2-2 win/loss record over a three-day period. JAMMAL SMITHAugust 5, 2020Simba French0163Views

It was a tough weekend for Bahamian junior basketball players Deyton Albury and Gareth Edgecombe this past weekend as they both battled injury playing in the Phenom Challenge in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Although both got injured, the Defenders finished with a 2-2 win/loss record over a three-day period. Head Coach of the Defenders Bahamian Jammal Smith said they performed well although they battled injuries.

“I will say, this weekend the boys performed well,” Smith said. “Little injuries hampered what they can do on the court. I feel that the boys are comfortable with the competition and they take advantage of their match-up and start to see intensity and physicality game in and game out.”

On Saturday, Albury turned in a triple-double performance in a 99-91 shootout victory against Team Synergy. He finished the game with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. He was outstanding.

For his sensational play on the floor, the guard was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the 17-and-under category.

“I’m very happy. It’s a privilege to be named MVP over many of the tough players in my category,” Albury said.

He added that the weekend was good and competitive with a lot of high-level action. Albury finished the weekend averaging 19 points, eight assists and seven rebounds per contest. He injured his ankle in the final game on Sunday, a 84-71 loss against TLBA.

In the game against Team Synergy, Edgecombe suffered an elbow injury and was limited on the court.

“It was not my best due to an injury sustained in the second game against Team Synergy where I hurt my elbow. From a team standpoint, I could have given more on the floor but as an individual, I am just trying to get better with my skills,” Edgecombe said.

He was able to finish the weekend averaging 10 points and five rebounds. It is a stat line that does not reflect his usual play.

“I plan on getting healthy, work on my skills and help my team out on both sides of the floor as a productive player,” Edgecombe said.

The forward said he will use the break to rest his elbow, and make sure it is healed before he steps back on the court.

On Friday, the Charlotte Royals took down the Defenders 79-76. In their second game, on Saturday, the Defenders took care of the Durham Hurricanes, 73-70.

The Bahamian duo have collegiate eyes on them now. Albury, in particular, is drawing interest from at least five programs.

The Defenders will have this coming weekend off and hopefully heal up before playing in the Big Shots Summer Classic in Charleston, South Carolina, from August 14 to 16.

The Big Shots Summer Classic will be the last tournament for them this summer. Smith said after that tournament, Edgecombe and Albury will focus on skill training and development until they return to The Bahamas.

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