LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

Urban Knights, the KFC National Basketball League (NBL) champions and beaten finalists, Blazing Panthers, have received their cash incentives owed to them from last season by the Jamaica Basketball Association (JABA).

Urban Knights had made a request to the JABA that their game against Port Royal Bulls on Tuesday, June 10, be postponed as the champions sought to secure last season's cash prize of $175,000 before proceeding this season. The request was granted and the game subsequently rescheduled.

Panthers, who received $100,000, made no request to postpone their games.

Fully focused on their games

With the money matters out of the way, Urban Knights have been fully focused on their games with their fourth straight victory. On Sunday night they emerged 60-56 winners against Arnett Gardens Rockers at the National Stadium Court.

Omar Barnes led Knights with 24 points and seven rebounds and Andy Smith had 10 points and nine rebounds. Top scorers for Arnett Gardens were Arnell Campbell (14 points and seven rebounds), Ian Gooden (11 points) and Andre Sutherland (10 points).

In an earlier game on Sunday, Kemar McLeish and Baldon Todd netted 21 points each in Majesty Gardens' 64-56 win over the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). Feurtado Clarke led the army men with 12 points, while Denroy Barnaby and Dermaine Foster chipped in with 10 points each.

Meanwhile, first-year team Catherine Hall All-Stars continued to have a rough introduction to the NBL as they were hammered 87-48 on their home court at the Montego Bay Cricket Club by two-time champs St George's Slayers.

Dwayne Gouldbourne led the trouncing with 26 points and 12 rebounds, while Neville Christie posted 14 points and nine rebounds for the All-Stars.

Fourth quarter

Heading into the fourth quarter, All-Stars faced a manageable deficit of 16 points (55-39) but were outclassed in the final period 32-9.

In action this evening, the JDF play Panthers at 6:00 and Runnin' Rebels face Portmore Flames at 7:45 at the National Stadium Court.