DESPITE a fairly comprehensive 76-54 victory over Arnett Gardens Rockers in their opening game of the Flow National Basketball League (NBL), Marland Nattie, coach of Majesty Gardens, believes much improvements are needed if they are to win the competition.Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

"I am satisfied that we got the win, but in terms of being competitive to win the championship, we have a far way to go," said Nattie, who is former president of the Jamaica Basketball Association (JBA).

"We are still lacking in a number of areas, especially defensively and also we need to improve our all-round team play," he added of their win in Sunday evening's opener at the National Stadium.

Former national Under-19 player, Kemar McLeish, with a game-high 25 points and nine rebounds, came up big for Majesty Gardens, which led 35-21 at half-time.

Solid support

McLeish received solid support from Barrington Berry, 15 points and 10 rebounds and captain Baldon Todd, 16 points, as they held a 52-37 lead at the end of the third period.

Arnel Campbell, 16 points and 10 rebounds, and King Thompson, 11 points and six rebounds, were the leading players for the Rockers.

Defending champions Urban Knights, the Jamaica Defence Force and Selassie Gardens were other winners on the competition's opening weekend.

The Knights defeated last year's runners-up Port Royal Bulls 68-61 in their opening match on Saturday at the same venue.

Dave Blackwood with 17 points and captain Javon Bailey, 14, were the top scorers for the Knights. Paul Oliphant, 23 points and Damian Young, 16 points and 10 rebounds, led the Bulls.

Debutants Selassie Gardens, led by Ricardo Willis' game-high 21 points, beat Braves Chiefs 51-45 in Saturday night's other game.

The following night, the JDF stopped Runnin' Rebels 70-58 in the feature encounter. Feurtado Clarke led the way for the soldiers with 14 points and 12 rebounds, getting good support from Raymi Franklin, with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Lynford Brown was the leading scorer for the Rebels with a game-high 35 points.

Jonah Atkinson, coach of the JDF, was satisfied with his team's performance.

"I think it was a good victory for us because we had to fight really hard throughout each quarter to win the game," said Atkinson, who believes they are capable of topping the championship.

"We are quite confident that we can do well this season and as long as we play a team game, then we should be able to make a real challenge for the title," stated Atkinson.