Tonight decides NLE finalists

Mar 20, 2009 Sports

Darcel Harris

By Edison Jefford
Hype, swagger and skill takes centre court tonight when the four top teams in this year’s Next Level Entertainment (NLE) Basketball Championships battle for a place in the final, which is billed for Sunday at the Sports Hall.

Dwayne Roberts

As was already established, tonight’s games are too close to call as Amelia Ward Jets and Linden rival, Victory Valley Royals play in the first showdown and Kashif and Shanghai Kings battle Dyna’s Ravens in the featured event.
Royals are the only team that advanced to this round without a scare and their main man, Dwayne ‘Sugar’ Roberts will waste no time to exert early pressure. Can Jets stop ‘Sugar’ tonight? The answer to that question is anticipated.
Roberts will depend on Chris Williams to support him on the parameter while Jets aims at continuing their sharp shooting that has gotten them so far in the competition with the likes of guards Delbert Kitt and Kevin Joseph.
The Royals and Jets game brings together two of Linden top teams and is likely to be the first game tonight, while the other contest extends a bitter Georgetown and Linden rivalry in the form of Ravens and Kings respectively. Kings lack the conditioning known to them in the past because they have not practiced on a consistent basis. They have crawled to the semis against two teams that they managed to outsmart with adjusting their offensive pace.

Steve Neils Jr.

The same will not happen tonight since Ravens’ coach, Lugard Mohan is keen than that and many of his counterparts. Ravens are an offensive team and Kings must be fit to win tonight. This outcome is also highly anticipated.
Steve Neils Jr. has been doing it for Kings for years and will have to come up big tonight again. He is the primary offence of the team along with Marvin Hartman and a defensive presence in the form of Jason Alonzo.
These three players must ensure that Ravens are kept in check. However, the debt of their opposition is remarkable. Ravens have more players at their disposal than Kings but they must fire on all cylinders because the game is on.
Ravens need Damian Liverpool to be the aggressive player that landed him his national selection three years ago. Ryan Gullen must also step up for the team along with their lead guards, Ryan Stephney and Darcel Harris.
Tonight’s games will answer many questions that were asked over the past few days and what is certain is that the smell of $300,000 is enough influence for players to throw their entire heart out on the basketball court.