The 2014-15 RCBL (Robin Corley Basketball League) season got underway Monday night at the Martha’s Vineyard Boys and Girls Club in Edgartown. The adult recreational league has been an Island fixture for more than 25 years. If Monday’s opening-night doubleheader is any indication, the four month quest for the Golden Rim trophy promises to be an exciting one.
The league has a new commissioner this season. Former RCBL veteran player Jason O’ Donnell, also the jayvee boys basketball coach and assistant varsity football coach at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, takes over the reins from Abby Leighton, who ran the league for the past two years.
The new season tipped off with the two-time defending champion Suns taking on the Heat. The contest was an offensive free-for-all, with the teams scorching the nets for 245 points. The Suns held a narrow lead midway through the first quarter but the Heat took over from there and posted a solid 128-117 win. Asil Cash of the Suns poured in 56 points and Nick Viera rang up 50 for the Heat. Cash hit six three-pointers on the night, including four straight in the second quarter. The Heat led by as many as 20 points several times in the second half but the Suns never let the game turn into a blowout.
Steve Handy scored 30 points for the Heat. Tim Scott drained five treys and finished with 18 points, while Will Fielding chipped in 11 more. For the Suns, Dujan Dugalic made an impressive debut with 29 points and Caleb Garde had 10.
The second game of the twinbill couldn’t have been more different than the freewheeling opener. The Lakers beat the Bulls 92-72 in an intense, physical game filled with contact in the paint. Both teams toned down the run and gun in favor of a more patient half-court attack.
With the game tied at 11-11, the Lakers closed out the first quarter on a 10-2 run to claim a lead they never relinquished. The teams played to a 20-20 stalemate in the second period but the Lakers pulled away in the final 24 minutes thanks to sharper shooting.
Five Lakers scored in double figures. Jeff Labell, Sterling Bishop, and Ben Ford netted 17 points apiece. Lamar Moreis scored 14 and Mike Cotrone had 13. Luke Bettencourt led the Bulls with 15 points, followed by John Swan (14), Anthony Johnson (10) and Jared Silvia (10).
The league is back in action next Monday night in Edgartown with games at 6:45 pm and 8:30 pm.
