Kwesi Mugisa, Staff ReporterTHE TIVOLI Gardens All-Stars will hope to finally play their first game of the Jamaica Basketball Association's (JBA) DHL Knockout Classic when they take on the Harbour View Lakers in a rescheduled semi-final this evening at 7:00 at the National Stadium courts.
The All-Stars will have to get used to life without Orville 'Penny' Perkins who left the team to pursue a scholarship opportunity in the United States. Perkins was not only a key part of the Tivoli offensive execution but also a leader on the floor and his presence will be sorely missed.
NO SOLE RELIANCE
Despite that, Lakers coach Donald Jackson will not be taking things for granted.
"I don't think Tivoli have necessarily always solely relied on him to stay competitive and they have other players that will step up in his absence. They have some other really good players." Jackson said.
The Lakers are among the few teams to have so far managed to keep all their top players among them NBL selected All-Star forward Christopher Walker and guard Michael Jackson. This no doubt gives them an advantage not only in terms of the retention of individual talent but also in experience.
They will look to slow down the Tivoli All-Stars and play the game at their own pace.
"We're going to try and play them very closely in terms of our defensive strategy, we do not want to give them a chance to run the open court," Jackson said.
The All-Stars will be looking to do just that and they will be hoping to avoid playing against a set Harbour View defence which may be harder to score against due to the advantage they have of a much bigger front court.
The game between the teams was originally due to be played last Tuesday but was put off due to the late arrival of the Harbour View team.
INCORRECT INFORMATION
The Lakers were not at fault, as they were given incorrect information regarding the starting time of the game. This prompted the JBA to reschedule the game for today and more than likely move the final, originally scheduled today, to Tuesday.
The winner of tonight's encounter will face the Urban Knights who got by the St George's Slayers 58-53 in a close Tuesday night fixture.
