Waulgrovian Bullets' Oberon Pitterson. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Defending champions Waul-grovian Bullets are expected to have their mettle tested when they face the young, determined JABA Under-18 All-Stars in the final of the Modern Rubber Stamp Jamaica Basketball Association Women's League at 6:00 p.m. today at the National Stadium courts.

Both teams booked their spot in the final in contrasting fashion. The title holders who coasted their way through to the final were hardly challenged, as they dismissed last year's beaten finalists the Metrobelles 60-26 in their semi-final encounter.

While dominating in the early goings, the All Stars had to stave off a late surge from the Brave Smilers before finally managing to put them away 43-40.

Major Blow Suffered

Headed into today's finals, however, the JABA Under-18 All-Stars have suffered a major blow as a torn ligament is expected to keep power forward Kaydean Bent out of the game. Bent had a double-double in Sunday's semi-final and will be a major blow with the loss of size up-front.

Despite this fact, however, their coach Laurel Meikle remains confident.

"Kaydean is a major loss but we are a rounded team and I believe the other girls will step up," he explained.

"We have been growing as a team and I think that we have got more confident with every win. I'm pretty confident headed into today's game," he went on.

"It won't be a walk in the park but we are certainly not afraid of the Walgrovian Bullets," he said.

The Bullets are one of two teams to beat the JABA All-Stars this season, but despite that fact Walgrovian coach, Marland Nattie, is taking nothing for granted.

"We won't take them lightly. They play hard every game and we expect it to be a competitive final," said Nattie, whose team includes the vastly experienced Oberon Pitterson, the former national netball captain and coach.

"They're young and we have the experience, they will have to play for every shot and work hard to stop us on every possession, I think we should be able to come out on top," he added.

In Wednesday's third place game the Metrobelles defeated the Brave Smilers 41-36.

- K.M.