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May
21, 2008
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Weekend Prevue:
Round Eleven
Granville Jaguars
Continue to Climb
The WBA/Lucozade Sport Men's Basketball Championship (MBC)
outfit the Granville Jaguars is aiming to prolong their
tenure as leaders of the competition and extend the
league's longest win streak as basketball action
continues at the Montego Bay Cricket Club court this
weekend.
On Saturday and Sunday, teams will be jostling to
consolidate their positions since there exist only a
slender margin separating the top five teams. Each club
will endeavour to be seeded in favorable positions for
the impending playoffs.
The fleet footed Jaguars (6-3) last tasted defeat back
on March 29. Currently the longest win streak is five
(5) a record set by the Granville team. Previously both
Hoopers and Avalanche came closest when they achieved
four (4) consecutive winning games. Jaguars have been
very impressive; they have gotten the better of both
mid-season finalists while taking over sole leadership
of the Lucozade Sport MBC.
Whilst remaining perfect in this second round, Jags are
averaging 90.3 points over the last three games. Thanks
in part to the trio of Huwayne Blake, Craig
Bernard and Leroy Lawrence. On Saturday,
fifth place team Tigers (4-4) will face a daunting task,
however they could be a thorn in Jaguars flesh. The last
defeat for Jaguars was at the very claws of these same
opponents. Tigers will be eager to repeat as victors, a
concerted effort is required of their youthful squad,
spearheaded by Dave Black, Caustant Holness
and Jermaine Rerrie.
In game two on Saturday, Hoopers (5-3) and Bay City
Lions (2-7) will have their own personal battles within
this encounter. Hoopers are winless so far in this the
second round, losing four consecutive games but will
want to regain their pedigree. On the other hand Lions
surprising two-game win streak ended abruptly to the
hands of Tigers last weekend. Predictably relegation still threatens. Based on
records and team personnel, Hoopers are clearly the
better of the two, however with their "Jekyll & Hyde"
performances nothing is assured until the final whistle.
Sunday's matchup sees Granville Wolfpack (2-7)
challenging Innercity Avalanche (6-2) who occupies 2nd
place on fourteen points with a game in hand. Avalanche
- the reigning Mid-Season champions have a one win one
loss record in this round. They continue to play good
basketball and fancies their chances for more silverware
come time for the MBC finals, but that is where the true litmus
test awaits.
Wolfpack are still the boasting a record of their own
for the longest losing streak of seven (7). They were
promoted to the MBC after they and stable mates Jaguars
dominated the 2007 Division 2 league, so far they seem to be
drowning in the big league. Battling the the
mid-season champs won't help their cause either, lest
they can muster the will and determination it takes to
win or other players have to step up and support the new
season scoring leader Neil "Chinny" Samuels, but
for now survival seems beyond their grasp. Should all go
well for them on Sunday an unlikely upset could set
their compass back to the winning direction.
By Khurt Comrie for WBA Media.
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