Match Report:

 Jaguars Regaining Lustre in Men’s Basketball

A rejuvenated Granville Jaguars outfit flexed its muscles and showed the Lucozade Sport Men’s Basketball Championship that news of its demise was certainly premature with an emphatic 76-59 victory over newly crowned mid-season champions Innercity Avalanche at the Montego Bay Cricket Club court last Sunday.

The result also extended their win streak to three. Power forward Leroy Lawrence led all scorers with 20 points, including 8 rebounds and 3 steals for Jaguars. Rather than struggling with chemistry, Granville seemed to hit the floor running with Huwayne Blake and Craig Bernard fitting seamlessly into the rotation and making their presence felt. Jaguars never trailed but produced some entertaining basketball for the Sunday evening crowd. Despite trailing, Avalanche was competitive to a point but just couldn’t manage to get their grips on the game.

With a 14-point advantage at halftime, Jaguars maintained their dominance immediately after the break, increasing their hold on the game by outscoring Avalanche in the third to have a comprehensive 60-40 going into the final quarter.

Avalanche’s forward Nicholas Watson acquired from Railway Tigers after last season made it his mission to bring his team back into striking distance, he was like a man possessed on defense.  He was big on the boards, grabbing a total of six for the game. He made big stops, stealing the ball six times and ending with his season high 15 points. Team captain Cleon Morgan looked far more at ease without the pressure of carrying the offence and compiled a “quiet” 12 points/3 rebounds night.

Avalanche outscored their opponents 19-16 in the final stanza but their efforts was in vein since Jaguars already held a commanding lead of the game. Jaguars’ Blake ended with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 6 steals, while Bernard added 15.

In Saturday’s encounter Sav-La-Mar Hawks redeemed their first round wipeout to Hoopers back on March 8; back in March, Hoopers hammered Hawks 73-51 a whopping 24 point margin! Hawks returned the favour by ravaging a hapless Hoopers corpse 72-54; and they spared no meat of the matter.

What seemed to be a ding-dong battle ended up to be a one-sided affair, the ‘birds’ seemed more hungry for vengeance and displayed same with some tactical play and teamwork. Sav won the first quarter 13-11, but allowed Hoopers to draw outscore them 18-17 to inch a point closer just before the half-time break.

By the third quarter Sav seemed more defiant and purposeful as they executed at both ends of the court to stifle Hoopers’ plans to take hold of this game. Sav’s big two of Maurice Rodriquez and Dillon Hodges made thing difficult for offensive players restricting them and increasing the lead
to 5.

Things didn’t change for Hoopers in the final quarter either, as Hawks tightened the noose a bit more as they mangled their opponents 23-12 led by Kareem Hibbert who scored game high 20 points and eight steals. Rodriques swat 4 shots and added 15 points/ 6 rebounds. Kenneth Blackwood contributed 12. On the other side, Ryan Bolt led his team with 14 points, while Andrae Morgan chipped in with 13 and Omar Bell 10.

Bay City Lions are no longer winless or toothless; actually they played a disciplined game in Saturday’s final match of the evening. While action was end to end for both rivals, Lions got the better of play despite an outstanding performance from Wolfpack’s latest acquisition Neil “Chinny” Samuels who showed sparks of his younger years as he led his teammates with his first double-double of the season - 22 points/14 rebounds. Included in his dominant showcase, Samuels the equaled the current season single game record for scoring four 3-pointers. Vaughn Lee assisted Samuels with his 14 points 11 rebounds 3 steals showing.

Lions’ captain Floyd Dixon played below par in this game, but had 10 steals while setting up his team mates with easy baskets; he received unusual help from other players in the likes of Don Cameron and Damian Henry who led all scorers with 24 points respectively. Their overall performance set the tone for the entire game, allowing Wolfpack no clear chance to take control and handing them their fifth straight loss. Lions won 66-59.

By Khurt Comrie for WBA Media.