Sykes takes Ravens to the top of the tree at Christmas

But rarely does it get more thrilling or intense than the one-point 64-63 victory Ravenscroft claimed over Pumas on Wednesday night – earning them the overall lead going into the festive break.

The duelling teams were level with just two seconds left on the clock at Beau Sejour, at which point an untimely Pumas foul from beyond the arc handed teenager Emma Sykes three free-throws. The last shot went in and prevented what would have surely been a tense bout of overtime.

Reigning champions Pumas had battled so hard to reach that point after trailing by 10 halfway through quarter four, but captain Gemma Batiste had to take the positives from this especially exciting match.

‘I’m obviously upset we’ve lost, but I’m proud to have played in a really competitive game of basketball,’ the long-term Island player said.

‘It was a great advert for women’s basketball leading up to the Island Games.

‘If we can transition that into playing as an Island team, it would be great.’

Batiste enjoyed a leading 23-point game and provided valuable composure for Pumas, while both Emmas – 20 for Sykes and 16 for Hicks – were particularly on song for a six-woman Ravens side.

The clinical Ravens got off to a flier, breaking 10-2 ahead in the first five minutes.

That early onslaught prompted Pumas coach Robin Smith to call time out for a team talk, which clearly paid off as his troops slashed the deficit – including some nice fast breaks from Kerri Brown – to trail just 15-14 at the quarter.

Pumas left themselves open to three-pointers early into quarter two as Hicks and Sykes scored one each, with the latter claiming her third and last of the match.

They then got their claws back in and limited Ravens to the narrowest of half-time leads – 30-29.

One of Ravens’ most influential players, Sammie Cox, soon picked up her fourth foul of the game and had to rest.

The blacks nevertheless managed to pull away to 43-38 with one quarter remaining.

That final quarter seemed to be the end of Pumas’ fight, but in the dying minutes a blend of fighting spirit and composure – combined with Cox fouling out – enabled them to bite back.

The impassioned play gave Ravens numerous free throws, but they rarely hit the mark and in the final seconds Batiste scored a critical equaliser, which circled the rim tentatively for dramatic effect before dropping.

Ultimately, Pumas gave away one foul too many and Sykes won it in the last significant play of the game.

‘It was really enjoyable to play a game where we felt in control and we weren’t panicking, but everyone was just playing really tough basketball and it was a big team effort,’ a triumphant Hicks said.

‘Those free throws are going to haunt me. I don’t think I’ve ever air-balled a free throw before, but good job we’ve got Emma Sykes.’

Experienced teammate Katie Cochrane said: ‘Sykes has always been a phenomenal player, but tonight was her best game so far this season, hands down, in my opinion.

‘The main thing from us is that we did what we went in to do – we played calm, we played controlled, and we played team basketball.

‘That’s what we have promoted all season.’

Cox and Jess Regnard also made double digits for Ravens, while Pumas’ Batiste credited a strong all-around team effort from her side.

‘They played really well and I think so did we – our ball movement was really good and we didn’t get our heads down when we were down,’ Batiste said.

‘We played man-to-man the whole game, which was good, and it showed our fitness.’

But ultimately Ravens were the ones with the win to their name, entering the break having lost only once compared to twice for Comets and now three times for Pumas.

‘We know it’s not going to be easy going back into it in January, but we’ve worked hard and we’re happy heading into Christmas in this position,’ Hicks added.