Action in the game between Next and Winning Mentality in the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League on September 30, 2016. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Killven M. Samuel of Next gets past his marker from Winning Mentality in their encounter on Friday September 30, 2016. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Next (maroon) are the Eastern Division Champions of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League 2016. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Shamoi A. Dagou attacks against We Dem Boys. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Splash Brothers (blue) resurrected their playoff hopes with a crucial win against We Dem Boys, 88-66. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Playing the last game of a truncated weekend, Starz joined four other teams on three wins and four losses in the East to keep alive their playoff hopes.

Lestin Wiltshire top scored with 27 points and 18 rebounds, Phillip Glasgow added 19 with 13 rebounds and Rushawn Johnson notched 12 with 10 rebounds to lead the starz, whilst Rebelto James hit 20 points for Next, Raheem Blyden 15 points with 11 rebounds, Kelvis Phillips 13 with 10 and Eustace Freeman 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Warrias whip Red Zone

Earlier on Saturday, the Warrias dented the playoff hopes of Red Zone in the Western Division with an 88-65 victory. They were led by 34 points and 7 rebounds from Juan R. Hatchett. Delbert Samuel added 12 with 20 rebounds and both Shaquille T. Fonseca and Jamiez A. J. Stoutt scored 9.

Red Zone’s top scorer was Joylon Wilson, who finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds, whilst both Deshawn Matthew and Nathaniel ‘Nat’ Malone scored 15.

West Gunners hammer Winning Mentality

West Gunners then blew away Winning Mentality, 108-72, with Douron Phillips scoring 27 points and 15 rebounds. Ray D. Victor finished with 23 and 13, Nicols Charles 22 points, Rowan Victor 19 points and 10 rebounds and Nigel Cary 9 rebounds.

Rudy Vanterpool notched 26 points and 15 rebounds for Winning Mentality, Vaughn Bassue 20 points with 9 rebounds, Malique Wattley 10 points and Mikhail Howe 13 rebounds.

Avengers dodge Bayside Blazers

In Friday’s games, the Avengers forfeited to Bayside Blazers and could now face failure to reach the post season, needing one more win to secure a fourth place finish or facing a possible three-way tie between themselves, Red Zone and Warrias.

Splash Brothers rebound

Splash Brothers resurrected their playoff hopes with a crucial win against We Dem Boys, 88-66, led by “new “player coach, off the court, Steve E. Parillon and on it by Ashfield Frett’s 22 points and 8 rebounds. Shamoi A. Dagou found his shooting range with 20 points, Glenal Layne hit 14, Michael Benjamin 10 and Abrey Daniel picked off 13 rebounds.

We Dem Boys were led by 23 points and 10 rebounds from Requan Fahie, 22 points from Hakeem Penn, 17 from Ronald Antoine and 13 rebounds from Shakeem Tyson.

Next make light work of Winning Mentality

Next started a disasterous weekend for Winning Mentality with a comfortable 90-53 victory as Killven Samuel led the party with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Clint Weston added 13 points, Enrico Harrigan 10 points with 7 rebounds and James 10 points.

Winning Mentality’s top scorer was Bassue with 14 points and 8 rebounds, whilst Darius Stevens scored 13 with 10 rebounds, Wattley and Tafari Winchester both scored 8 with the latter picking up 6 assists.

The 2016 Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League is sponsored by Bishop John I. Cline, Honourable Julian Fraser, RA, Nanny Cay Marina & Hotel, Botanic Service Station, National Bank of the Virgin Islands, De Castro Marking Products Ltd, Sol BVI, Delta Petroleum, Digicel (BVI) Limited, Tropical Car Rental, First Caribbean International Bank, Walkers, Hannah Fresh Water, International Motors, James Todman Construction, Skelton Group of Companies, Nagico Insurances, T Shirt Genius and Virgin Islands News Online.