Pistons, All-Stars square off in game one
EASTERN Pistons and Swallowfield All-Stars will square off in game one of the best-of-three finals in the 2011 Institute of Sports (INSPORTS/SDC/SDF Southern Basketball Conference (SBC) Division One League this evening at the National Stadium Basketball Courts, beginning at 7:45 pm.
Swallowfield earned he right to face Pistons by defeating Spanish Town Meadows 52-43 to clinch the three-match play-off 2-1 after the teams were locked at one game apiece to enter the decisive encounter.
Meadows had won the first game 48-43 points with Swallowfield winning the second, 57-49, to tie the play-off at 1-1.
Meanwhile, the Nyron Hurd-coached Pistons had defeated the once unbeaten Jamaica Fire Services aggregation 2-0 in their best-off-three semi-finals, winning 71-62 and 61-44 points.
What is very interesting is the fact that both teams will be squaring off for the first time this season and should be involved in a keenly-contested three-match play-off series final.
The East Kingston-based Pistons are expected to field their best starting five players in order to take on the early quick pace of the Roger Marshall-coached Swallowfield All-Stars who have always applied the pressure in the first quarter.
Michael Johnson, Jermaine Miller, Andrew Gouldbourne, Vaughn Chevannes, Cordell Grant and Narado Somers could likely be the possible staring five for the Pistons.
Meanwhile, Marshall and his players are ready for the showdown and will be looking for a good first quarter start from his possible starting five of Jervis Hamilton, Dean Whittingham, Dwayne Wellington, Kevin Lamey and Astley Marshall.
“It’s going to be a very tough game, but we are more confident as they players are mentally and physically prepared for the big clash,” said Pistons coach Hurd.
His opposite Marshall said while it will be competitive encounter, said his boys will be coming “strong and will play and do what we do best of our ability”.
In Thursday night’s third deciding game, Swallowfield All-Stars beat Spanish Town Meadows 52-43 points after leading 17-15 at half time. The teams were locked at 43-43 with five minutes remaining where Swallowfield applied the pressure on Meadows to come out winners.
Jervis Hamilton with 13 points, including 12 rebounds; Dean Whittingham 12 and Dwayne Wellington with 12 points each were the principal scorers for Swallowfield, while Keiron Dill with 14 points and Damion Johnson and Michael Blake with nine and eight points, respectively, got most points for Meadows.
