The Montego Bay Cricket Club court will be rocking with excitement this weekend as the finals of the Lucozade Sport Men’s Basketball Championship with games one and two of the best of three series. Both matches will commence at 7pm and game three if necessary, will take place the following Sunday, July 22 at the same venue. After sixty games involving eight teams, the division one season culminates with just two teams challenging for one trophy, thus earning the title as champions. Will it be the defending champions – Sav-La-Mar Hawks from Westmoreland or Catherine Hall All-Stars from Montego Bay whom won their last title back in 1999?

TEAM HISTORY
Sav Hawks was founded in 1993 and have played in five consecutive league finals (1993-1998) and were eventually crowned champions in 2006 as well as the 2007 Open Rally prior to the start of the Men’s Championship. Similarly, Catherine Hall All-Stars were formed in 1997 and shared similar achievements as their counterparts, but bitterness crept in when the team was demoted to the lower tier Division 2 in 2006, but so did sweetness when they regained promotion in 2007. This is their third league finals appearance.

ROAD TO THE FINALS
The reigning champs finished this season with an 8 win, 5 loss record with a 64.62 scoring average per game while conceding only 62.92 points per game (league’s best). They led the standings during the first three rounds of the regular season, falling as low as number five. Hawks eventually cemented themselves in third spot matching them against number six ranked Hopewell Cobras in the elimination quarter-final. Then sent the number ranked Inner-city Avalanche, the league’s most offensive team sliding out of the semi-finals series and ending their fairytale season by sweeping them 2-0. It was deja vu all over for Avalanche as they suffered a similar fate last season to the very opponents. Catherine Hall All-Stars were humbled by being regulated to division two last year, but managed to be one of the two division 2 finalists. Promoted as a result, they ended their division one season with a 7 win, 6 loss record while serving 72.9 point per game and giving up 73.31 defensive points per game giving them a number four ranking. All-Stars eeked out a one point victory over number five ranked and current 2007 Mid-Season champions Hoopers in their elimination quarter-final before turning back the challenge of the Rainbow Storm sweeping them 2-0 in their semifinal series encounter.

Hawks won the only regular season match way back on March 17, this year when they defeated All-Stars by eight points. Hawks seemed to have peaked at the right time and are favored to repeat as champions. Reigning MVP and team captain Maurice Rodriquez, Dillon Hodges are proven scorers and also stalwarts on the defensive end of the court – making things difficult for opponents. The quickness of prolific scorer Robert “Bob” Spence who scores easily from inside as well as outside and the agility of point guard Errol Smith combined with wily veteran George Beckford, Kenneth “Tuggy” Blackwood, and the enigmatic Richard “Nesta” Foster in support will be a handful on their way to an unprecedented two championships in a row.

On the other hand, the steadily rising All-Stars have being on a mission to topple top-seeded teams who try to prevent them from advancing. They will hope their winning streak continues in their efforts to dethrone the defending champions and ultimately lifting another title. Catherine Hall will hope that their loyal supporters will bring the noise and the funk. Their players look to rise to the occasion, Captain and co-founder Damian Curtis will the man orchestrating ‘top-gun’ Goyan Malcolm who is a seasoned and clever player with National Basketball League (NBL) experience which proves why he is a chore for defenders in this league to guard as he can score at will either from behind the arch or above the rim! Then former Cornwall College star, Jermaine Dillon shrugging off injury seems to be regaining his lost mojo at the right time, he possess soft hand for a big man, and some eloquent footwork combined with his upper body strength and several lethal shooting arsenals at his disposal. If he gets hot early, Hawks’ will be in serious trouble. Then there is Neville Christie, the wily, unorthodox yet deft left hander who all season long ran circles around defenses with his quick first steps opening up the lane for uncontested drives, open passes to teammates or wide open jump shots. He reminds you of Manu Ginobli from the San Antonio Spurs, tough as they come and his team will need him to click this weekend.

Will it be David (All-Stars) or Goliath (Hawks)? Will it be the champions or the underdogs? Come out and enjoy the excitement.
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