The Kashif and Shanghai Kings will place their unbeaten record on the line on Boxing Day (tomorrow) when they take on Amelia’s Ward Jets in the second game of a double header of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association Malta Supreme- sponsored tournament.
In the opening game which gets underway at 7pm at the Mackenzie Sports Club hardcourt, Retrieve Raiders will tackle Wismar Pistons.
Kashif and Shanghai Kings lead the points standings in the preliminary round of the tournament with eight points from four wins and with two matches remaining are a sure bet for the playoffs.
This leaves the Jets among five other teams battling for the three available semi-final spots in the tournament.
A win for the Jets tomorrow will increase their chances of making it to the next round and, as usual they will rely heavily on Captain Kevin ‘Two Feet’ Joseph, Leonard Caleb, Ruel McKinnon and the experienced Neil Simon who will be supported by the Webster brothers, Shane, Allister and Domain.
They will, however, be without power forward Lawrence Acosta who has been suspended.
Kings will be boosted by the return of Centre Jason Alonzo and he will be supported by power forward Omally Sampson and Dale Williamson.
Throw in national captain Steve Neils (Jr.) and former junior national captain Marvin Hartman along with Orin Rose and one can see why the Kings have been unbeaten so far.
In the curtain raiser, Wismar Pistons, having lost three out of their four games for a mere five points, will need to win to stay in contention.
They will look to experienced guard Nevin Greenville and forwards Quincy Jones and Trevor Profitt to have big games.
Retrieve Raiders are not much better with a record of two wins and two losses going into tomorrow night’s match.
They are still with power forward Dwayne ‘Brown Sugar’ Roberts who has been suspended and as such the burden will be even heavier on national player Neil Marks.
Marks will look to support from forwards Alexander Rose, Dwight McKinnon, Louis James, former junior national Geoffrey Larose and guards Sheldron Noel and Anson Durant.
The final set of preliminary games will be played on Friday with another double header.
