The traditional showdown between Mighty Barrolle and Invincible Eleven (IE) as far as the Liberia Basketball league is concerned ended the Rollers’ favor with an emphatic 72-54 points victory over the Yellow Boys.

     The match was played on Sunday, March 9 at the open-air Sports Commission in central Monrovia, where thousands of basketball fans jam packed the arena.

     What was interested about the traditional showdown was that some former stars of the teams currently serve on their respective technical staffs. On the technical bench of Mighty Barrolle was Abu Kaba, a one time Mighty Barrolle’s great, while IE had on her bench A. B. Smith, another great basketball star for IE.

     Following peps talks and match formalities, the encounter kicked off with Mighty Barrolle taking charge from start. By the time IE could catch herself, Barrolle had taken the score to 7-0 amidst thunderous applause from her fans.  Realizing the embarrassment it would cause her, IE refashioned and reduced the tally to and even took a one point lead with the score at 12-11.

    Jethro Bing, Reuben Marshall, Marcus Wolo, Ivorian star player T. Serges Guy, their two Chadian star players, Otis Nyanneh and others were outstanding for Mighty Barrolle, while Chris Taylor, Varney Cephas, alias “One Day”, Varney Fahnbulleh, Abu Sillah, put up a tough resistance but to no avail.

     The rollers dictated the pace of the game in all departments. She outplayed IE in scoring, rebounds, outside shooting, inside penetration, ball coordination, blocks, assists and speed. Although IE has already been ruled out of the title contention except miracle can be performed during the second round of the competition.

    The match on Sunday was the last in the LBF first round. IE played six games and won only two against Raiders and  Bushrod Bulls and lost four against NPA Pythons, LPRC Oilers, Uhuru Kings and Mighty Barrolle.

     As for Mighty Barrolle, she also played six matches in the first round, winning four against Raiders, Bushrod Bulls, IE and Uhuru Kings and losing two to NPA Pythons and LPRC Oilers.

     Meanwhile, the second round of the league is shortly to commence. The knockout kicks off this week several matches paired.