LeVaughn Flynn-Members of Selassie Gardens basketball club celebrate with the Homestyle Juices Southern Conference Division One Basketball League trophy with their fans at the National Stadium Court last night. Selassie beat Braves Chiefs 50-46 to win the serie 2-1.

LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

It was the battle of the traditional team versus the newcomers in the decisive Game Three of the Homestyle Juices Southern Conference Division One Basketball League final at the National Stadium Court last night. And it was the newbies, Selassie Gardens, only two years old, that toppled the storied Braves Chiefs, a club that once ruled the island's top league and won national titles in 1992, 1993 and 1996.

The Payne Land-based team, with the best fan support of any Kingston basketball club, defeated Braves 50-46 to win the best-of-three final series 2-1.

After losing Game One, Selassie Gardens were spirited in their fight back as they seeked to follow inner-city teams like Majesty Gardens and Arnett Gardens which won the Southern Conference league and advanced to the KFC National Basketball League.

Oneil Christie led the way for the champions with 13 points and six rebounds, while Kemar Cohen (11 points and 16 rebounds) and Durain Dean (10 points and five rebounds) contributed.

Only one scorer was in double figures for Braves with Narada Wellington netting 11. Lloyd Cruikshank added nine points and Kevin Corrie had eight points and eight rebounds.

Selassie Gardens coach Dennis Gardner, who, in true championship style, was doused with a bucket of Gatorade after the final whistle, won Coach of the Year.

Gardner said just as important as winning the title was the pride it brought to the community.

"What really moves me is what this means to the community of Payne Land," said Gardner. "As an inner-city community there is a stigma. But they came together and worked with us and something good happened to the community. It means a whole lot to them."