Flames, Knights in big clash

WESTERN BUREAU: The first major clash of the 2011-12 Western Basketball Association (WBA) Division One league will take place this afternoon when unbeaten teams Lucea Flames and Montego Bay Cricket Club Knights square off in a top-of-the-table clash at Watson Taylor Park in Lucea, Hanover, starting at 5 p.m.

"This is a game that is bound to pull out the fans," said Deon Williams, the competition's coordinator. "These are two extremely talented teams and I am sure the winner will undoubtedly become the red-hot favourites to win the title."

In addition to having home advantage, perennial contenders Flames, with their 100 per cent win record from the four games they have played, have the league's top player in the versatile Craig Dorman, and should start favourites.

However, any attempt by Flames to slight the youthful, but extremely competent Knights, could be to their detriment as the Sheldon Pearson-coached team has not only won the three games they have played, but they, too, are blessed with an abundance of talent.

"We have a very good team and I would be very disappointed if we did not go all the way this season," said Pearson. "Our plan is to get better with each game, and that has been working for us so far."

In another game slated for this afternoon, Montego Bay Lions and Granville Wolfpack will square off at Montego Bay Cricket Club, starting at 6 p.m. Both teams have the identical record of one win and one defeat from two games. In tomorrow's lone game, Montego Bay Boys' Club Warriors will host Spartans at the Montego Bay Boys' Club, starting at 4 p.m.

Only one of the two games scheduled for last weekend was played as the Warrior vs Wolfpack fixture was washed out. In the game that was played, Flames had a hard-fought 37-33 win against MoBay Lions.

too strong

Flames won the first, third, and fourth quarters by 9-7, 13-9, and 11-7 margins as Dorman, who got 10 points, and Julian Walker, who got seven points, proved too strong for the Lions. Lions, who won the second quarter 10-4, got good service from Shane Mitchell and Floyd Dixon, who scored nine and six points, respectively.

With the competition - which will yield one qualifier for the upcoming NBL (west) competition - now on in earnest, the current point standings read: Flames - eight; Knights - six; Wolfpack - four; MoBay Lions - four; Spartan - three; and Warriors - two.

"The season has been going great so far," said Williams. "The real highlight is the fact that we are getting fantastic support for the games, especially those at the new venues."