Horizon’s four-game win streak snapped in Elite League
Published:Tuesday | January 24, 2023 | 1:18 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
THE Cleon Morgan-coached Elite Horizon suffered their first defeat of the 2023 Elite 1 Caribbean Basketball League on Saturday night at the National Arena after they went down 88-83 to Elite Wave.
The Wave, who was registering their fourth victory of the competition, were led by the in-form Cameron Buchanan, who logged a game-high 37 points. In the evening’s other fixture, Elite Storm ensured that Elite Rivers’ miserable run in the competition continued as they handed them their fifth straight defeat following a 100-79 blowout. It was Elite Storm’s second win of the tournament.
The Storm’s offence was led by Brendan Armstrong with 28 points while Jayrn Johnson chipped in with 17. For the Rivers, they struggled on the offensive end as four of their players failed to register a single point.
Morgan downplayed Horizon’s defeat as he believed that it came at the right time for his charges.
“We were on a four-game win streak, which was pretty good for us, with two matches to go. Losing at this point is good for the team as we can go back to the drawing board, look at our mistakes, work on that and come back and play the way that we are used to playing,” said Morgan.
Coach Morgan added that despite what eventually turned out to be a close contest, he saw signs of complacency and hopes that that will change going forward.
“We are used to playing with a high intensity, but nevertheless, we were able to cut the deficit down to five but lost. One of our other struggles was defence. We see ourselves as one of the best defensive teams in the league, and as Team Horizon, we need to try and show that,” Morgan said.
Starting point guard forte Storm Brandon Armstrong lauded his team’s performance over the Rivers.
“It was a great overall match. This was the first time we had our full squad, no injuries, so I knew that we would have come out and play well by moving the ball. It was our best game - from the number one to the 14th person on the bench,” said Armstrong.
Despite the physical encounter, Armstrong said it was just part of the game of basketball and he was ready for it.
“It was very physical. I’m learning that and loving it. This will get me ready for the next venture (wherever I play), but it’s just part of the game,” Armstrong said.
The tournament will continue tomorrow at the National Arena with the Elite Wave against the Elite Storm at 6 p.m., followed by the Elite Rivers tackling the Elite Horizon at 8 p.m.