Wizards magic too much for Legends in Flow final
Tivoli Gardens Wizards scored a 67-62 win over Majesty Gardens Legends to wrap up the Flow National Basketball League (NBL) Southern Conference best-of-three final series 2-0 at the National Stadium courts on Saturday.
Fifteen points each from Andrew Whilby and Omar Barnes, plus 14 points and eight rebounds from Anthony Farquharson and 12 points from Kirk Ferguson, saw the defending champion to victory.
Kemar McLeish top-scored for the Legends with 19 points and eight rebounds, followed by Boldon Todd with 18 points and Hovando Dunn with 12.
“I am proud of my team and myself, because we showed we really wanted it, but when we are in a final with Majesty we know they are going to give us a good run for our money,” winning coach Ted Marshall said.
The victory was also a momentous occasion for club president and former Prime Minister, Edward Seaga, who was celebrating his birthday on the evening.
Tivoli started the stronger of the sides and held the lead comfortably at 21-17 after the first period.
Majesty, however, showed their grit and quality in the second quarter and went in front 32-31 with two minutes and 55 seconds remaining.
But the West Kingston side held their nerve to reclaim the lead 37-32 at the half-time break, while Majesty tried desperately to overhaul Tivoli during the third period, but the orange-and-black-clad team would have none of it as they kept their advantage throughout to take a 52-49 advantage going into the final quarter.
Tivoli remained in control throughout the rest of the game, keeping their opponents at bay despite the valiant attempts from Majesty’s top players Boldon Todd and Kemar McLeish.
Tivoli came out 15-13 winner of the fourth and final quarter to seal a deserved five-point victory at the end.
Majesty Gardens captain Todd said it was a poor display from his team, but say they hope to make amends in the national competition.
“It was a poor performance by us, but we allowed the momentum to get away from us in the first quarter… but we just have to go back to the training ground and come back for the all-Island,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference final, Pure Playaz registered an emphatic 96-64 win over Morant Bay. Adrian Lattibeaudiere top-scored with a game-high 23 points for the Playaz and he was well-supported by Jeffrey Ivey with 20 points, Kirk Ferguson with 18 points and Jason Wilson with 12.
Kirkland Miller was Morant Bay’s leading scorer with 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Lenroy Wiggins assisted with 14 points and Earl Williams 10.
Over in the Central Conference, the Pythons also scored a 87-40 blow-out victory over Hippers. Damion Sullivan top-scored with a game-high 26 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. He got good support from Shad Walters with 20 points and Nicholai Brown with 11 points and as many rebounds. Terrence McDowell was Hippers top-scorer with 13 points and 13 rebounds.