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Weekend Prevue: Round Two
Three Look to Stay Unbeaten in Lucozade Sport MBC
Three teams seek wins to
remain unbeaten in this season's Lucozade Sport Men's
Basketball Championship (MBC) which continues this
weekend @ the Montego Bay Cricket Club court. Scheduled
are Railway Tigers versus Granville Wolfpack and
Hopewell Cobras versus Innercity Avalanche on Saturday,
while Sunday will provide a mouth-watering agues
via winning a playoff to replace Rainbow Storm - who
were unable to field a team mostly due to the departure
of several key figures i.e. Nicolas Rhoomes,
Dave "Puwee" Black among others. If they are going
to avoid relegation a second time around, Tigers must
get off to a good start against Wolfpack who mauled
Lions in their debut match last weekend. Tigers will
look to the inform versatility of Caustant "Bubbles"
Holness to lead the fight this season, but it will
take teamwork and the 'heart of a lion' to surpass their
lackluster performance last year.
Wolfpack on the other hand, marshaled by Hubert "Scoobii"
Grant and a combined effort of its experienced
squad, will be on the prowl against some youthful
challengers. If Albert Munroe, Vaughn Lee
& Lawrence Dowman show up focused, Tigers will be
in for a long night. Game time 5:00pm.
Avalanche who is without last season's Most Valuable
Player, Adolph "Stocky" Erskine, regardless they
could bury a Cobras team in transition who will want to
recover from a somewhat disappointing finish to last
season due to a lack of organization and determination
back in 2007. Last weekend, Avalanche started with a
gritty come from behind 3pt victory over Jaguars led by
Cleon Morgan with support coming from new
division two signees, Nicholas Watson (Railway
Cubs) and Steven James from Jr. Avalanche.
Damian "Lapas" Smith who played a sub-par game vowed
to make restitution this weekend. Cobras continue to be
depleted, as they lose players have now lost long-time
coach and manager Douglas Reid who signed to
rival Hoopers. Furthermore, they will be playing without
their scoring leader Dwight Reid who still awaits
the league's disciplinary committee decision for an
incident late last year. How Cobras will fare is yet to
be seen but expect a fight spearheaded by the little
dynamo Kirk Blake. Game time 7:00pm.
This game is expected to be the most compelling matchup
of the weekend, and which better day to see it! Hoopers
boasting a new coach and club management structure;
accompanied with the addition of new players looked good
in their season debut - defeating Sav Hawks convincly.
Hoopers sees a title on the horizon, but for that to
become reality Omar Bell and Andrae Morgan should lead
by performance, while Rayon Bolt, Dennis Brown,
Marlon Comrie and the resurgence of Omar "Freekis"
Taylor will provide support
Jaguars are no push-overs either. They possess one of
the best offenses in all of the male leagues combined.
They usually grind their opponents to the ground with
their up-tempo, yet controlled style of play. Former
Avalanche point guard Douglas Powell will bring
some added experience to this bunch as he will have the
responsibility to distribute the rock to the towering
Leroy Lawrence and the speedy Craig Bernard on the
breaks. The "X" factor though could well be Ryan
Harrison who will be facing his former team for the
first time since leaving before the season plus,
Huwayne Blake who continues to wield his magic when
a ball is in his hand will all make things a bit
difficult for Hoopers. Fireworks will begin at 4:00pm.
The league's most consistent team - Sav Hawks could be
likened to the NBA's San Antonio Spurs and should get
the better or Lions. Possessing the ability to hold
teams at sub par levels due to their defensive strength,
do not expect this game to be a high scoring affair.
However, do expect some 'clawing' and 'scratching' as
both teams seek out their first victory of the season.
Hawks are favored to win this encounter against a team
who were relegated to division 2 if it were not for the
promotion of last season's champions Catherine Hall
Allstars to National Basketball League which is ran by
the Jamaica Basketball Association. Maurice Rodriquez
will lead his feathered brood along with the return of
Kareem "Riko" Hibbert who was awarded the Finals
MVP back 2006. Hawks also made an acquisition for the
leading scorer in the recently concluded high school
league, eighteen year old Richard Chambers
(Mannings High). Lions will depend on the veteran duo of
Kevin "Goose" Goldson and Floyd "Lloydie"
Dixon for on court leadership and scoring power.
While Garfield Brown reawakening could prove
troublesome for the birds. Game time is 7:00pm.
Patrons are reminded that entry fees for regular season
games are $100.00 and $50 for children 12 and under.
Come join us as we sport a winning attitude.
By Khurt Comrie for WBA Media.
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