LINKUP Allstars and Mega Mart Magics booked their places in the quarter-finals of the Hi-lyte/INSPORTS Southern Conference Basketball League after victories over Blazing Panthers and Portmore Blazers, respectively, on Tuesday to take their best-of-three playoff series, 2-0, at Edward Seaga Courts.

LinkUp defeated Panthers, 74-59, while the Magics were 62-50 winners over Portmore Blazers.

However, in the night’s other game, Aqua Youths levelled their series against North Street Heats 1-1 after a nail-biting 62-61 victory over their opponents.

Like in game one, LinkUp and Blazers went toe-to-toe for the first half, with the teams tied at 17-17 after the first quarter, while LinkUp led 36-32 at half-time.

But although the Panthers rallied to hold a two-point advantage (53-51) after the third quarter, LinkUp came back strongly in the final period to blow away their opponents for a 15-point win.

Nico Phillips was LinkUp’s topscorer with 35 points and 10 rebounds, and he was well supported by Garfield Campbell with 11 points.

In the night’s other game, Cleon Reese posted 16 points and 12 rebounds, Derrick Whyte 14 points and Fabian Murray 12 as the Magics outscored the Blazers by eight.

Gary Reid with 10 points and eight rebounds and Curtis Myers with 10 points were Portmore’s topscorers.

Meanwhile on Monday, Denham Town Warriors, Braves Chiefs and Rae Town Raptors all took 1-0 series leads against Norman Gardens Dragons, Arnett Gardens Rockers and Spanish Town Meadows, respectively.

Denham Town overcame the Dragons, 61-64; Braves stopped Arnett Gardens, 61-52, and Raptors defeated Spanish Town, 66-58.

Deano Hibbert was the Warriors’ topscorer in the night’s opening game with a game-high 20 points and 15 rebounds. Cleveland Gizzart supported with 11 points.

Sheldon McGrowder and Kaunda Marks were the topscorers for the Dragons with 19 and 15 points, respectively.

Braves also started their series with a win over Arnett, thanks to 13 points from Osmond Farquharson and 12 from Leon Abrahams. Cevon Williston and Vivian Spence topscored for the Rockers with 13 points each.

Rae Town also grabbed the early advantage against Meadows after Dwight Campbell scored 20 points and Anthony Burton 19 in their win.

Damion Johnson scored 16 points and nine rebounds and Travis Ramsay 15 points for the losers.