Royalty Bounce Back With Win Over Defence Force — Sunday 17 May 2026Royalty Basketball Academy showed plenty of fight on Thursday night as they came from behind to beat the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force 86-80 in a First Division match of the Lincoln "Cripple" Griffith North Zone Basketball League. Playing at the Woodbrook Youth Facility, Royalty faced an uphill task after falling short in their opening round, but they refused to let another early setback define their season in the competitive local league. Defence Force looked in control at the break, holding an eight-point lead, yet the second half told a different story. Royalty stepped up their intensity and capitalised on foul trouble that hampered the soldiers. Jedaiah King top-scored with 19 points while Jason Best chipped in 18, helping the academy side pull away in the final minutes for a hard-earned victory. The win keeps Royalty in the hunt in the North Zone and underlines the strength of grassroots basketball development across Trinidad and Tobago. Matches like these at community venues continue to give young players valuable exposure while keeping fans engaged in the local scene.Watch the full video from TTT Live Online below.