Match Report: Round Two

Hawks, Hoopers, Jaguars yet to Taste Defeat

The Granville Wolfpack continued to prove they are one of the early favorites and one of the teams to beat by dominating an enthusiastic Railway Tigers on Sunday as games continued at the Montego Bay Cricket Club court.

Grinding out a hard-fought but comfortable 85-76 win Wolfpack led all the way, showing their up-tempo running style. With new signee Andre Uter hitting the court for the first time and scoring 29 points, with his performance the future for the Wolfpack looks really promising. Periodically, Tigers turned up the ante – proving too hot to handle. Leading the charge was Caustant Holness proving to be a handful for Granville’s defense on his way to scoring 28 points while grabbing six boards and snatching four steals. Jason Blake and Jermaine Rerrie who transferred from Rainbow Storm combined a total of 25 points, seven rebounds and 7 steals. Despite their productive night Tigers never led although coming within one point (56-55) at the end of the third quarter. Uter, Vaughn Lee (24 points, 5 rebounds) and Albert Munroe (17 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals spearheaded Wolfpack's victory charge.
 

Sunday’s main event undoubtedly lived up to all expectations. Granville Jaguars aimed to follow the winning stride of their younger unit and to change their current winless status against a very confident Hoopers squad. Jaguars were very assertive leading the first two quarters as Hoopers tagged along. However, the tides changed when Hoopers led by team captain Andrae Morgan (16 points and six rebounds) became the aggressors after the halftime break. They outscored Jaguars (20-14) to take a four point lead going into the final stanza. Jaguars would never play dead, in fact three players scored in double figures. Leroy Lawrence scored game high 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds, Huwayne Blake displayed his magic touch on his way to a productive night making 18 points, nine rebounds, five steals and a block along with Ryan Chambers who scored 13 in their failed bid to steal the game. Hoopers' Rayon Bolt (12 points, 3 rebounds 3 steals) and Marlon Comrie who was a monster contributed with his first double-double of the season (10 points and 15 rebounds to seal the issue.

In the day’s final match, former champions Bay City Lions and Sav-La-Mar Hawks participated in an exciting affair, both teams were eager to get their first win; Sav showed the most promise as they got out the blocks first, but their enthusiasm were short-lived when Lions rebounded in the second quarter, outscoring Hawks 38-35 before the halftime whistle. Upon resumption, Lions remained the most dominant team, but Hawks displaying determination managed to cut their opponents lead from three to two (51-49) at the end of three quarters. As the final quarter got underway, the momentum switched into Sav’s favour and this time they dominated all the way to a 68-64 win. Rookie sensation Richard Chambers of Mannings High led his new team with 20 points, 6 rebounds. Robert Foster made 15 along with 13 rebounds and Maurice Rodriquez also dominated in his usual fashion on defense with 14 points, 13 boards and five block shots. Several players for the losers displayed strong performances led by Floyd "Lloydie" Dixon who led his team with 17 points and eight rebounds. Don Cameron supported with 14 of his own and so did Kevin Goldson bagged eleven.

By Khurt Comrie for WBA Media.