The Jamaica Star :: Sport :: Resolute Jaguars surprise Avalanche

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Granville Jaguars rubbed off some of the sheen from Inner-city Avalanche's recent mid-season success when they handed them a 76-59 defeat in the first game in the second round of the Western Basketball Association (WBA)/Lucozade Sportsmen's Basketball Championship at the Montego Bay Cricket Club Courts on Sunday.

By virtue of their win, the Jaguars outfit, one of two teams that gained promotion from last year's WBA Division One competition, have now moved within a point of Hoopers, Avalanche and Hawks, who jointly lead the seven-team competition with 12 points.

In a gutsy performance, Jaguars won the first three quarters 18-14, 26-16 and 16-10 before narrowly losing the final quarter 19-16. Leroy Lawrence was the mainstay of Jaguars' win, scoring a game-high 20 points. He got good support from Huwayne and Craig Bernard, who had 17 and 15 points, respectively.

Avalanche, which dazzled in their mid-season victory over Hoopers, were quite tame in comparison with Jaguars, as only Nicholas Watson and Cleon Morgan figured prominently, with 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Double-header

In other games played last weekend, Sav Hawks defeated reigning President's Cup champions Hoopers 72-54 and Bay City Lions came up with a surprise 66-59 win over Wolfpack in a double-header played at the Montego Bay Cricket Club on Saturday night.

In their game against Hoopers, Hawks won three of the quarters by 13-11, 19-13 and 23-12 before narrowly losing the final quarter 18-17. Kareem Hibbert, 20 points; Maurice Rodriques, 15; and Kenneth Blackwood, 12; spearheaded the drive to victory.

Despite their loss, Hoopers could take comfort in the performances of Ryan Bolt (14), Andrae Morgan (13) and Omar Bell (10), who all played well, especially in the first quarter, which was keenly contested.

In the second of Saturday's game, Lions turned in a gutsy performance in winning three of the four quarters by 16-15, 21-16 and 17-12 margins before buckling 16-12 in the final quarter.

Don Campbell and Damian Henry were outstanding for Lions, scoring 24 points each. Neil Samuels and Vaughn Lee did well for Wolfpack, getting 22 and 14 points, respectively.

The current standings in the competition read as follows: Hoopers - 12, Avalanche - 12, Hawks - 12, Jaguars - 11, Wolfpack - 9, Tigers - 8 and Lions - 8.