Knights, Legends clash

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

A mouth-watering clash is expected today when former champions Urban Knights face Majesty Legends in Game One of the Flow/National Basketball League best-of-three all-island semi-finals at the National Stadium Courts, starting at 7 p.m.

The series is a repeat of this season's Southern Conference semi-finals, which saw the Legends getting the better of the Knights 2-0.

Kemar McLeish, captain of the Legends, is very optimistic that his team can maintain their winning ways over the Knights.

"We are confident that we can repeat a series win over them again, because as long as  we stay in our comfort zone and dictate the pace of the game then we should come out on top," said McLeish.

"We
know their style of basketball because they will come out and push the
tempo of the game in the first half, but we just have to stay out of
foul trouble and control the game and once we do that then we should be
the winners," said McLeish.

Along
with McLeish, the Legends, will rest their hopes in the hands of
shooting-guard Baldon Todd, centre Damion Young and forward Maurice
Blackwood.

On
the other hand, the Knights will be seeking revenge against their
opponents, who have defeated them twice in their previous semi-final
meetings.

Calvin
Martin, coach of the Knights, said: "We are just going to go out there
and do our best and hopefully our best will be good enough, which will
enable us to come out on top," said Martin.

He
added: "They are a dangerous team and so they will be hoping to close
it out in two games because they have beaten us in our last two play-off
series. However, if we can change our mindset towards them, by playing
an all-round game then we would be able to come out on top."

In
the opening game of the double-header, defending champions Tivoli
Wizards will take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three semi-finals against
the Jamaica Defence Force, at 5 p.m.