Adrian Frater, News Editor

Dane Morris (right) of Inner-city Avalanche confronts Hoopers' Omar Bell (left) after working his way around a screen in Sunday night's Game Three in the Western Basketball Association (WBA) Lucozade Men's Championship 'best-of-five' final at the Montego Bay Cricket Club Courts. - photo by Adrian Frater

Western Bureau:

After losing the lead on Saturday night when Inner-City Avalanche drew level, Hoopers are back in front in the Western Basketball Association (WBA) Lucozade Men's Championship 'best-of-five' final following their 83-63 victory in Sunday night's Game Three at the Montego Bay Cricket Club Courts.

Come this Saturday night, Hoopers could wrap up the series should they emerge victorious in Game Four. However, a win for Avalanche would see the series extended to a decisive Game Five.

In Game Two of Saturday night, the Galton Taylor-coached Avalanche, still smarting from the Game One 68-70 defeat, turned in a clinical display, winning two quarters 14-10 and the fourth 30-20 on the way to a 73-64 win, which levelled the series 1-1.

'Down to the wire'

"It is a best-of-five final so we had to win so as not to fall too far behind," Taylor said after Saturday's win. "I think this one is going right down to the wire because both teams are playing well."

Cleon Morgan, with 19 points, Chayne Topey and Nicholas Watson, with 13 points each, were the outstanding players for Avalanche. Marlon Comrie, with 15 points and 13 rebounds and Nicholas Day with 13 points, did well for Hoopers.

In Game Three on Sunday night, Hoopers bounced back with a vengeance, taking all four quarters by 19-17, 18-14, 16-13 and 30-19 margins for a comprehensive 83-63 win to be on the verge of taking the title.

High quality

In the romp to victory, Hoopers got high -quality service from Dennis Brown, who had 13 points, Omar Taylor 12 points, Marlon Comrie 11 points and Andrae Morgan 10 points. Cleon Morgan, who got a game-high 25 points, Dane Morris, who played well for 13 points and Damion Smith, who got 10 points and nine rebounds, did well for Avalanche.

"We are just one game away from the title and confidence is very high," said Morgan, Hoopers' top player. "We want to end it at Game Four, so a Game Five is not on our mind."

The competition, which is sponsored to the tune of $300,000 and is the premier basketball competition in western Jamaica, will see the winner taking home the coveted Lucozade Trophy.