Western Bureau:

The long-awaited start of the much-anticipated western leg of the 2009 Flow-sponsored National Basketball League (NBL) will happen this afternoon when the season gets going with a double-header at the Montego Bay Cricket Club Courts, featuring four of the five competing teams.

Action will tip off with Hoopers taking on Inner City Avalanche in the 6 p.m. curtain-raiser, while in the feature game at 8 p.m., Sav Hawks will take on the exciting Granville Jaguars in what should be an epic showdown between two teams well known for resilience.

"After such a long wait, the teams are ready and raring to go," said Deon Williams, the competition's coordinator for the Western Basketball Association (WBA). "We are anticipating a competitive season as all the teams are high on confidence, as they seek to gain the lone slot at stake in the national play-offs."

hoopers against hawks

The competition will continue tomorrow with another double-header at the same venue. Former NBL campaigners Catherine Hall All Stars will bow into action against Jaguars at 4 p.m. while at 6, Hoopers will square off against Hawks.

Based on the format of the competition, which also features a Central, Eastern and Southern league, all five teams from the west will play each other in a round-robin format twice. The team that accumulates the most points will emerge champion and will advance to the national play-offs, which will feature the top teams from the other regions.