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It is not often a player scores 41 points in a basketball game and ends up on the losing team.

But this is the bittersweet predicament Paget Bearcats guard Chris Crumpler found himself in at CedarBridge Academy last weekend.

The 27-year-old hoopster set a new Premier Basketball League scoring record in a losing cause as defending champions Hamilton Parish held out for a 69-68 win in overtime.

Crumpler, who virtually carried his teammates on his back, was unstoppable inside the paint and shooting from beyond the arc.

The six foot, three inch guard downplayed his prolific scoring exploits on court, putting team before personal milestones.

He said: "I was just trying my best to bring our team back and win the game. I just went out there and played and tried to do my best.

"I didn't even know I had scored 41 points until someone approached me after the game. I didn't care about the points because my purpose of playing and competing is to win and so I was hurt.

"I didn't feel good at all after the game. I played hard, gave it my best shot but we came up a point short."

Perhaps rubbing salt in the wound was Crumpler's missed attempt at the buzzer, which rimmed out, given Parish the hard fought win by a whisker.

Crumpler claims he was fouled approaching the basket.

Fouled

"I thought it was a questionable call going to the rim," he argued. "There was a lot of contact but I guess no blood no foul and the ball rolled in and out and we ended up losing by one point."

He also attributed "silly mistakes" to his team's eventual demise in overtime.

"We were right there but just did not convert at the end," he added. "This is the second game that we have lost in overtime and third game that we have lost by three or less points this season."

Paget are currently seventh in the ten team points standings with an overall 3-5 record.

Only the top eight teams in the league will qualify for the playoffs.

Trailing Paget and eighth placed Devonshire Dragons, who boast identical records, is ninth placed Southampton who are two games behind with an overall 1-7 record.

On paper, Paget have one of the youngest teams in the league that is predominately comprised of high school players.

"We have all high school players on our team except for two players," added Crumpler.

The Bearcats were under strength in their last outing with Parish, with three starters out of action due to other commitments.

"Two were off island and one had Regiment duty," Crumpler explained.

With the playoffs just around the bend, Crumpler believes the Bearcats can make a good account of themselves during the post-season.

Noise

He said: "Once we get all of players together before the playoff push we will be able to make a lot of noise. We have been one of highest scoring teams this season and I think we have a bright future."

Leading Parish to victory over the Bearcats last weekend was Mike Smith, who poured in 19 points.[[In-content Ad]]

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