Granville Jaguars' Huwayne Blake (right) dribbles away from Hooper's Dennis Brown in Sunday's exhibition game between the teams at the Montego Bay Cricket Club. - photo by Adrian Frater

Western Bureau:

Favourites Central Flames and Railway Tigers both drew first blood in the best-of-three semi-finals of the 2009 Lucozade Sport Men's Basketball Championship, when they registered Game One wins against Hopewell Vipers and Granville Wolfpack, respectively, in Saturday night's double-header at the Montego Bay Cricket Club.

In the first game the Tigers, who have been rounding into good form in recent games, were all the rage against Wolfpack, spanking them 87-47, while the exciting Flames won two quarters, drew one and lost the other in beating Vipers 75-57.

The Tigers, who started their game against Wolfpack in full control, won the first quarter 16-12. They then increased the tempo in the second quarter, which they won 25-9. They then consolidated their hold on the game, taking the third quarter 21-17 and the fourth 21-9.

Michail Smith, with 16 points, and Detroy Jewery, Tommy Davis and Richard Harriott, who each got 12 points, were the outstanding players for Tigers.

Good contributions

Phillip Morrison, with 14 points and nine rebounds, Dwayne Keene, 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Hubert Grant, with 11 points, all contributed well for Wolfpack.

In the showdown between Flames and Vipers, Flames dominated and won the first quarter 26-8, shared the second quarter 14-14, took the third 20-11 and with victory assured, lost the final quarter 24-15 for a 20-point margin.

Craig Dorman, who has been having a brilliant season, was the top player for Flames with 30 points and nine rebounds. Sheldon Myrie, with 20 points, and Cecil Cole, with 10, also did well in taking the Hanover team to victory. Gavin Forbes, with 20 points, and Dwight Reid, with 10 points, were Vipers' top scorers.

The teams will meet in Game Two action this Saturday night again at the Montego Bay Cricket Club. Should Flames and Tigers again emerge victorious, they will both qualify for the competition's best-of-five finals. However, should they lose, the series will move into a deciding Game Three.