Farquharson and Oliphant
First-year team Port Royal Bulls look to continue their dream run in the KFC National Basketball League when they face familiar foes Tivoli Wizards in Game One of the semi-final this evening at 7:45 at the National Stadium court.
The women's semi-final will precede the men's at 6:00 with JABA Strikers facing Braves Smilers.
The second-seed Bulls, with five ex-Tivoli players on the side including player/coach Oneil Williams, romped to the second-best record in the league this season (17-5).
What could have been an unstable mix of talent, Bulls' core players who earned promotion to the NBL and the experienced Tivoli players injected into the squad, managed to combine for an impressive first season.
After disposing of former champs St George's Slayers in three games, the next test is an experienced Tivoli squad (seeded third) that are hungry to regain basketball glory since winning the last of their four consecutive titles in 2003.
Tivoli coach Dennis Hutchinson admits it will be an emotionally charged match.
"There were some players who things never worked out in their favour and they decided to join Port Royal, so they'll be coming out with something to prove," said Hutchinson.
Rivalry
"Right away there is a rivalry and it might turn out to be a proving thing. But as the coach, I have to be proactive as it can get very individualistic."
Hutchinson added that veteran players Duken Brown and Andrade Wright are keen to end the season with a title.
"We have some senior players who are reaching the tail-end of their career and they want to go out on top," Hutchinson stated.
The bulk of Tivoli's scoring is expected from Dwayne Harris and Anthony Farquharson, but should they struggle, Shawn 'Oney' Morris, Jermaine Peart and Jermaine Brown are good role players who can carry the team.
Forward Damion Young will be Bulls' key man when he leads his new team against his old team. He has been the team's leading scorer and had a monster 36-point, 15-rebound game in a pivotal Game Three against Slayers. The performance of guards Paul Oliphant, Dovian Wade and Leighton Meeks, along with Young, will be critical as they often dictate Bulls' running game.
Coach Williams said he would allow Tivoli to earn his team's respect instead of approaching the game expecting them to play well.
"We are going into the game to see what they bring to the table," said Williams.
"This is the play-offs and teams come with different techniques, so we will have to adjust our tactics as well."
In the next set of semi-finals tomorrow, also at the National Stadium court, Metro Belles play Waulgrovian Bullets in women's action at 6:00, followed by reigning men's champion Urban Knights facing Majesty Gardens.