Recap

Starlites JSD bounced back from their previous defeat with a commanding performance against Valletta Lions on Sunday which kept them in third place in the BOV Division One.

Paul Ferrante’s Starlites set the tone early with an 11-5 run. Trevon Reddish-Rhone opened the scoring with a floater before Max Curran drilled a three-pointer. Valletta’s Myles Carter responded with a strong drive and a free throw to tie the game, but Starlites quickly pulled ahead. Reddish and Curran continued to dictate play, combining for multiple inside finishes, and Ian Felice Pace extended the advantage with a driving layup.

The Citizens fought back, with Eric Terry finding his range from deep and converting free throws to reduce the gap to three. However, Starlites remained composed, as Chris Paul and Reddish-Rhone capitalised on turnovers to restore a five-point cushion. Carter led Valletta’s charge, scoring inside and from the line, before tying the game at 23 just before the end of the quarter.

Valletta briefly took the lead at the start of the second quarter as Terry converted a tip-in and free throw, but Starlites responded immediately. Curran’s jumper put them ahead, and Matthew Scerri’s three-pointer ignited a dominant spell. Reddish-Rhone took control, scoring eight consecutive points, while Paul and Scerri added further baskets to push the lead to double digits. Nikola Vasovic hit a three-pointer to halt Valletta’s slide, but Starlites continued to surge forward. Reddish-Rhone buried another three-pointer and closed the half with free throws, giving Starlites a 50-36 advantage.

Valletta looked to regroup after the break, with Piotr Stelmach and Vasovic scoring early, but Starlites had the answers. Scerri drilled back-to-back three-pointers, and Reddish-Rhone continued to punish Valletta’s defence. Carter tried to rally Valletta with a fast-break layup, but Starlites’ defence held firm, forcing turnovers and scoring in transition. Another strong sequence from Starlites saw Curran and Reddish-Rhone extend the lead past 20, with Valletta trailing 70-53 heading into the final quarter.

Starlites maintained their grip on the game, as Reddish-Rhone and Paul combined to stretch the lead further. Valletta relied on Carter to spark a late rally, with the guard scoring twice off turnovers before hitting a deep three-pointer. Stelmach and Vasovic added late baskets, but Starlites remained in control, closing out the game with efficient free-throw shooting. A final layup from Luca Riolo sealed the win, with Starlites securing a resounding victory.