Jeffrey Brown of Link-Up All-Stars (centre) and Junior Reid of Pure Playaz jump for a rebound during their KFC National Basketball League match at the National Stadium courts yesterday. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter
Pure Playaz president Lorna Lawson promised a better performance from her team after their 60-point thrashing by Denham Town Wizards on Thursday; and the team delivered on that promise when they beat Link Up All-Stars 78-74 yesterday at the National Stadium courts.
Playaz were mauled 108-45 in their opening game last week after they put in a tepid performance on their debut. On the contrary, yesterday the team showed more purpose and took advantage of poor transition defence from Link-Up.
"This win boosts the confidence of the players because the defeat the last game had them a way and this really gives them the confidence to say 'yes, we are going to win the rest of the games'," said team manager Terron Campbell.
The Portland-based team were led in scoring by Kasha McLean and Jeffrey Ivy, who scored 25 points each.
Pure Playaz started the third quarter trailing 29-27 but began making the shots they were missing in the first half and in the game against Wizards. They outscored Link-Up 30-21 in the third period.
Turn Around
"The turnaround was in the third quarter," noted Campbell. "We put in most of our big men in the third quarter and we also started playing fast and running a lot because the running game suits us."
Link-Up were losing their second straight game after their opening loss to Runnin' Rebels. Leighton Meeks, following his 30-point performance in the first game, top-scored with 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds while Garfield Campbell collected 16 points and nine rebounds.
After leading for most of the game, Link-Up lost the lead (44-43) with 3:40 left in the third quarter. Pure Playaz subsequently grew more confident with Ivy scoring back-to-back three pointers and McLean was aggressive in attacking the basket. Link-Up coach Dave McLaren reasoned that his players were too relaxed in the match.
"I'm glad I'm not the only one who saw," he expressed.
"The season (is) early and we (are) just warming up so we will get better though. We play Urban Knights next so we will improve," promised McLaren.
