Avalanche, Jaguars in crucial clash

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Innercity Avalanche will look to keep their hopes of securing promotion to next season's National Basketball League (NBL) in good stead when they face the Granville Jaguars at the Montego Bay Cricket Club in a crucial game, beginning at 4 p.m. today.

The Avalanche will look to join Selassie Gardens, who secured their spot last weekend with a win over the Jaguars, but are currently behind second place Braves Chiefs on points.

Selassie Gardens booked their spot with a perfect 3-0 record.

With a 1-1 record, the Chiefs are in second place on three points, but the Avalanche, who hold a 0-1 record, still have today's game in hand.

A win today for the Avalanche will set up a winner-take-all scenario between themselves and the Braves when the teams meet at 6 p.m. tomorrow at the same venue.

"We haven't been able to get in as much training as we would have liked, but we are confident going up against the Jaguars, we know them quite well," said Avalanche coach Galton Taylor.

"This is a big weekend for us, I am expecting an all-round team effort from the guys and once we are prepared I expect us to do very well," he added.

Despite sporting a 0-2 record, the Jaguars are not yet eliminated, but would need a win today to keep very slim hopes alive.

"We are off to a bad start but we haven't given up and today's game is a must-win situation," said Jaguars coach, Dwight Clear.

"They are a team we know quite well, their strengths and weaknesses, so we just need to focus more on our defensive effort and intensity," he said.

The competition was originally slated to be between six teams, but the Eastern Pistons and Morant Ball All Stars have since withdrawn.