Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

INTER CITY Avalanche became the first finalists in the Western Basketball Association (WBA) Lucozade Men's Championship on Sunday when they defeated Granville Jaguars 75-68 in the second game of their best-of-three semi-final at the Montego Bay Cricket Club courts.

In the first game between the teams, which was played at the same venue on Saturday night, the Galton Taylor-coached Avalanche took a convincing 1-0 lead after blowing away the Jaguars 84-74.

Avalanche's opponent in the final will not be known until this Saturday as the other semi-final between Sav Hawks and Hoopers is locked at 1-1 in their best-of-three showdown. Hoopers won the first game on Saturday 69-62 while Hawks turned the tables on them, 84-77, on Sunday.

Scorers

In Saturday's Game One, Avalanche's win was set up by Dufton Shepherd, who scored 21 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, and Oniel Clarke, who had 17 points and 17 rebounds.

On Sunday, Nicholas Watson was the top man for Avalanche, scoring 15 points, while Shepherd contributed 13.

The Game One clash between Hoopers and Hawks belonged to the former as Nicholas Daye, with 21 points, and Neville Clare, with 10 points and 10 rebounds, led their side to victory.

Facing elimination in Sunday's Game Two, the Hawks won two quarters, 23-18 and 24-14, and lost two, 20-22 and 17-23. However, that was enough to give them a crucial 84-77 win, which was enough to send the series into a third game. Kareem Hibbert, with 27 points, and Rodriques and Terence Pate, with 15 points and 10 rebounds apiece, were outstanding for Hawks.

The winner of Saturday's third game will be back in action on Sunday in Game One of the best-of-five final. Avalanche, who are favourites to win the title, have already won the competition's mid-season title.