WESTERN BUREAU:

INNER-CITY Avalanche captured the first title of the 2008 Western Basketball Association (WBA)/Lucozade Sportmen's basketball season when they defeated defending champions Hoopers 67-61 in Saturday's mid-season final at the Montego Bay Cricket Club courts.

"We wanted it more and despite the slim margin of victory, we are extremely happy," said Avalanche's coach, Galton Taylor, whose team walked away with the coveted trophy and $10,000. "We are hoping to carry our current form right through the season."

High expectation

The much-anticipated final lived up to expectations as it was a ding-dong battle all the way. After Hoopers won the first quarter 18-11, Avalanche bounced back to claim the second 17-16, the third 22-12 and the final 17-15.

Versatile Cleon Morgan was the outstanding player for Avalanche, scoring a game-high 24 points. He got good support from the energetic Chayne Topey, who had 15 points.

The Hoopers team, which entered the game hopeful of retaining its title, fell prey to the intensity of Avalanche as only Neville Clare, who got 15 points, and Andrae Morgan, who had 10, figured prominently as pressure mounted in the game.

In the end, with the final whistle looming, Avalanche seemed much more composed as they steadily locked Hoopers out of the contest for a close, but conclusive margin of victory.

In an exciting novelty game, which preceded the final, a select team of WBA officials scored a close 36-35 over a KLAS FM89 media team in a game of non-stop action. The WBA officials won the first quarter 15-10, lost the second 14-7, won the third 6-2 and drew the final one 10-10.

Outstanding players

Joel Gordon, who got 14 points, was the outstanding player for the WBA officials. He was well supported by Galton Taylor and Sheldon Pearson, who had eight and six points respectively. Orane Blackwood, who got a game-high 16 points, was the outstanding player for KLAS FM.

The competition will move into its second round this weekend with three games, one on Saturday and two Sunday. The games are: Saturday - Hawks against Hoopers at 5:00 p.m. Sunday - Avalanche against Jaguars at 6:00 p.m. and Lions versus Wolfpack at 7:00 p.m. All games will be played at the Montego Bay Cricket Club courts.