THE 2012 season of the Flow National Basketball League has reached fever pitch with the Southern Conference Finals to be held today at the National Stadium Basketball Court.

Since its launch in late April the league has seen several players switching team alliances, creating new rivalries and even more fierce competition. The Urban Knights will face off with the Runnin' Rebels in what promises to be one of the hottest games of the season. While the winner of the Southern Conference is anyone's guess, several players are in contention for the Most Valuable Player of the Southern Conference. Three of these are Kirk Ferguson of the St George's Saints, Balldon Todd of the Majesty Garden Legends, and Kemar McLeish of finalists, the Runnin' Rebels.

McLeish is one of the Flow NBL's more prominent players having helped to guide his former team the Urban Knights to a championship, and was also the MVP for last season playing for Majestic Gardens.

This season, however, McLeish made the transfer to Runnin' Rebels along with three other players from two-year runners up Majesty Gardens Legends.

According to Pete Matthews, head coach of Runnin' Rebels, McLeish is an individually skilled player, who has learned to work well within the team. Matthews commented on the new energy brought by McLeish. "Initially there were some things that were lacking as he got a feel for the team, however, he was willing to enhance his game and has become a team player."

McLeish has achieved 179 points, 67 rebounds, 19 steals, 24 assists, and four blocks in this year's competitive season. Ferguson, who is point guard for the Saints, scored an amazing 256 points, 133 rebounds, 29 steals, 54 assists, and 13 blocked shots for the season. Meanwhile, Todd, shooting guard for the Legends, made an impressive 300 total points, 146 rebounds, 41 steals, 37 assists and one blocked shot.

The players expressed excitement at the possibility of MVP status in the Flow NBL. "I feel good to be in this position, and if I were to win this would be extremely good for me and my teammates," said a humble Todd. "It is exciting to be in the running with players like Kemar McLeish, who is one of the better players in the League."

Meanwhile, former Tivoli Gardens Wizards player Ferguson remarked. "I am really excited about the possibility. I am elated that I could contribute so greatly to my team, especially since it is a new team. I'm glad to be in the running for the title."

Though their teams are no longer up for the Southern Conference championships, the players weighed in on who they felt would win the Southern Conference title.

"I think the Rebels will win because they are an experienced team, they can break out at any time and win," said Ferguson. A like- minded Todd also has his money on the Runnin' Rebels, remarking: "I think they have a good chance."