Hoopers seek second straight win
MONTEGO BAY, St James — Hoopers will be going for back-toback wins today when they take on Lucea Flames in the first game of a Flow National basketball League-West double header at the Montego Bay Cricket Club, starting at 4:30 pm.
Hoopers are coming off an overtime victory over winless Railway Lane Tigers on Wednesday and a win today would see them join Granville Jaguars in the lead on 10 points each.
In the second game today, two-time defending champions Catherine Hall All-Stars and promoted MBCC Knights will meet starting at 6:30 pm.
Two more games are set for tomorrow afternoon, Knights and Tigers will meet in the first game followed by Flames vs All-Stars.
On Wednesday on a wet surface caused by heavy afternoon rains, it took overtime for Hoopers to beat Railway Lane Tigers for a second straight time at the Montego Bay Cricket Club.
After finishing regulation time tied at 54-all, Hoopers prevailed 14-8 in the extra period for a 68-62 victory that sent Tigers to their fifth straight loss.
The win took Hoopers to eight points and second place in the standing to Granville Jaguars, winners of five straight, who are on 10 points, followed by MBCC Knights on six points, with Tigers, Catherine Hall All-Stars and Lucea Flames all on five points each.
Only one of two games was played with the opening game between MBCC Knights and Catherine Hall being postponed.
Tigers battled from deficits at the end of the first and third quarters to force extra time. They were down by four points (8-12) after the first quarter played on a wet and slippery court, but managed to get their nose in front at half time, 23-21, before Hoopers reasserted themselves 35-33 going into the fourth quarter.
Tigers then outscored Hoopers 21-19 in the fourth quarter and forced a deciding fifth period, but came up just short.
Rayon Bolt and Dwayne Johns both scored 17 points for Hoopers, while Courtney Walters had a game-high 22 points and 15 rebounds for Tigers, along with three blocked shots, while Wayne Morris scored 13 points and had 10 rebounds.
