DEFENDING WESTERN Zone champions of the ISSA basketball competition, Herbert Morrison, took the lead on Monday in the best-of-three finals with an 84-76 overtime victory over Muschette at Jarrett Park. Herbert Morrison owed their victory to the outstanding play of Dwayne Johns and Jeron Perkins. Johns, the team's primary scorer, had a double-double of 42 points and 13 steals which he backed up with seven rebounds, six blocks and six assists.

Perkins recorded a triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 steals. He also had three blocks and two assists.

Muschette's competitive score was due largely to the efforts of Antoniele Watson who had 20 points and 19 rebounds. He was assisted by Fitzroy Gordon, who also recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

The loss was a heartbreaking one for the Muschette team which clawed its way back from a 15-point deficit in the second quarter to narrow it down to five points in the third. They continued to improve and took the lead in the fourth.

Big basket

However, victory was not to be theirs as, with mere seconds on the clock, Perkins hit a big basket for Herbert Morrison to pull his team within two points of Muschette. That gave the many Herbert Morrison fans, who had by now convinced themselves that the game had slipped from their grasp, hope.

With fewer than five seconds on the clock, Perkins made another important play when he got a steal and fed the candidate for most valuable player, Johns, the ball. He worked his way to the basket and had an uncontested lay up as time expired.

That lay up appeared to have killed off the Muschette fight as it was all Herbert Morrison in overtime. Perkins was like a man possessed as he hit a two-pointer, a three-pointer and set up Johns for a two-pointer as they opened up a seven-point lead. The lead was later extended to nine and it became clear that it was all over.

Johns, the lynchpin of the Herbert Morrison team, fouled out with 14 seconds to go, but not even a miracle could save Muschette at that time.

Game two of the finals will take place today at Jarrett Park.

- N.W.