Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
A 30-POINT night from Fernando Young helped the Urban Knights secure the last available semi-final spot of the Jamaica Basketball Association's DHL Knockout League with a 80-75 victory over the Denham Town Wizards on Tuesday at the National Stadium courts.
The Knights came out firing and immediately put the Wizards in an 8-0 hole by pounding the ball inside and getting themselves in good position for a few early offensive rebounds.
Denham Town failed to box out early and often left their backboard unguarded but the sleeping Wizards would awaken and through floor leader Anthony Farqueson, who had 25 points in a losing effort, they picked up their defensive intensity to go on a run of their own and take the lead with about 2:00 minutes left in the first quarter but the Knights responded and claimed an 18-17 lead.
In a game that was characterised by physical play, Knights forward Andy Smith was ejected with a minute to go in the first quarter for stepping on to the court during an argument between the teams.
PLAYED TOUGH IN SECOND QUARTER
This did not seem to impact his side, however, as it continued to play tough in a second quarter that saw the score constantly change hands. Despite a brilliant quarter by Farqueson who was a menace not only in terms of offensive production but also in his rebounding effort, the Knights finished the half the stronger of the two teams for a 41-37 lead.
If the second quarter belonged to Farqueson, the third was Young's.
The Wizards could find no answer for the energetic two guard as he not only penetrated to dish off at least four assists for the quarter but he also lit them up with hot shooting which saw him make four baskets in a row.
Despite a spirited start to the fourth quarter by the Denham Town, their difficulties in containing Young continued. As the pressure increased, they failed to score on key possessions and got sloppy with their care of the basketball.
Things took a turn for the worst when top scorer and floor leader Farqueson had to be substituted because of an ankle injury sustained while attempting to grab a rebound.
The Wizards, however, did manage to claw back within two with 34 seconds left on the clock, but poor offensive execution saw them commit a turnover on a possession that could have tied the game and a quick score for the Knights sealed the deal. They were then forced to foul which saw Young score one of his free throw attempts to ice the game.
IN GOOD STEAD
"We played the way that we trained yesterday, hard," said Knights coach Maurice Gordon. "No disrespect to the Knockout competition but we are using it to judge ourselves for next season and I think we look to be in good stead," he said.
The competition's semi-finals were scheduled for last night with the Tivoli-All Stars set to take on the Harbour View Lakers and the Urban Knights looking to take on St George's Slayers in a rematch of last season's league semi-final match-up.
