Hoopers are best out west
MONTEGO BAY, St James - Hoopers crowned themselves
champions of the western phase of the 2009
Flow-sponsored National Basketball League on Tuesday
night at the Montego Bay Cricket Club Courts when they
defeated Catherine Hall All Stars 67-60 in their Game
Two showdown, which gave them a 2-0 win in their
best-of-three finals.
Hoopers' Levar Rose evades Dwayne McIntosh of Catherine Hall All-Stars'
during Game Two of the Flow NBL-West finals at the Montego Bay Cricket Club.
Coming off their comfortable 66-52 Game-One victory, the
Douglas Reid-coached Hoopers were forced to dig deep and
hold their composure as the Catherine Hall team battled
bravely to level the series. However, amid flaring
tempers, Hoopers held on for their win, which ruled out
the playing of a Game Three.
"It was a tough game but we did what we had to do," said
coach Reid. "I though the officiating was a little bit
soft as the officials treated the game as thought it was
not a contact sports, nonetheless we (are) happy for
this win."
The game started with the Catherine Hall team in charge
and putting much pressure on Hoopers in a strategy that
paid off as they won the first quarter 17-13. However,
Hoopers quickly settled and claimed the second 18-15,
which resulted in Catherine Hall enjoying a close 32-31
half-time lead.
In the third quarter, Hoopers finally began to gain the
upper hand as they took the quarter 18-14 to move into
the final quarter with a 49-46 lead. The final segment
was both fast paced and contentious as the battle for
supremacy intensified. In the end, Hoopers won the
quarter 18-14 to seal victory.
Outstanding
Neil Samuels, with 22 points and seven rebounds; and
Omar Bell, who had 10 points, were outstanding for Hoopers.
Goyan Malcolm, with a game-high 22 points; and Duwain McIntosh, who had 15 points, emerged the top
players for Catherine Hall.
By virtue of crowning themselves western champions, the
Hoopers team has now earn the right to represent the
region in the NBL All-Island play-off, which will
feature the winners from the other regions. The winner
of the All-Island play-off will be crowned national
champions.
"Going into the national play-off, we will have to step
up our game because we know that the teams, especially
from Kingston, usually play a more solid game to our
teams," said coach Reid.
.jpg)
"It was a tough game but we did what we had to do," said
coach Reid. "I though the officiating was a little bit
soft as the officials treated the game as thought it was
not a contact sports, nonetheless we (are) happy for
this win."
