Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
ARDENNE HIGH have their hearts set on a clean sweep of the ISSA/KFC schoolboy basketball Southern Conference, but first they must find a way to stave off a determined Kingston College (KC) when the teams meet in the deciding game of a best-of-three Under-19 final series at 4:00 p.m. today at the National Stadium.
Having pulled out the broom for the North Street team in the Under-16 series on Monday, the double crown is now in sight for Ardenne, once the undisputed kings of the schoolboy game. Stunned by an impressive come-from-behind win by KC in game one, Ardenne recovered nicely in game two to claim a five-point win over the North Street team in a 57-52 victory.
In game one last week, Ardenne held a 14-point lead after the first quarter but eventually lost the game by the same margin. KC were led by their inspirational captain Omari Green, who has been their most consistent player so far, with double-figure rebounds in both games.
No day off
Green certainly can't afford to take the day off in today's game, Ardenne big man Alex Lubsy, who had a solid game two with 18 points and 12 rebounds, will be a threat if he can stay out of foul trouble. In fact, both front-line players will be integral in their teams' success.
Ardenne coach Basil Barrett is confident that his boys will bring home the double title, despite being considered slight underdogs.
"Everybody is acting like we are underdogs. The fact is that the season series between us is tied at 2-2. We are in high spirits, we know each other well and I'm expecting a good game," Barrett said.
"All we have to do is go out there and execute and we will be OK, I think we can take it home," he said.
However, if KC coach Andrew Jackson has his way, the title will be going back to North Street.
"We are coming out today to win. It's been a while since we have lifted the title and you never know when you'll be in another final. We want to win," Jackson said.
"When you're in a final, you can't take anything for granted, we didn't expect them to lie down and die, we were always prepared for a game three," he said.
