The Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court will come alive tonight, when the LABA/Banks DIH sponsored Malta Supreme Basketball Championship continues.

Two exciting matches await basketball lovers in Linden, especially since tonight will decide the two finalists.

In the first semi-finals from 19:00 hours, the number one ranked Retrieve Raiders will face the number four seed Amelia’s Ward Jets, while in the second game at 21:00 hrs number two seed Half Mile Bulls will collide with the third seed Victory Valley Royals.

Despite their respective rankings coming into tonight’s important matchups, all four clubs are capable of reaching the final.

However, the Raiders remain the only unbeaten team in the tournament, after having defeated previously unbeaten Half Mile bulls, thus placing themselves in the spot against what many feel are the dangerous Amelia’s Ward jets.

The Raiders were coached in their last game by former national coach Abdulla Hamid, who had been playing in the preliminary round games, but notably his influence was obvious as he guided the Retrieve team with his vast knowledge.

With the inclusion of overseas based Louis Webster in their line-up the Raiders with Dwayne ‘Brown Sugar’ Roberts looked the team which had risen to prominence few years ago.

With rising national guard Keon Cameron being kept in focus by Hamid, and former national forward Neil Marks adding quality to the both ends of the floor, the Raiders should fancy their chances of coming out on top.

However, this Raiders’ team must get all the contributions it can from other players like another former national Marvin Hartman who helps to stabilise their game and the speed of Alexander Rose who can complement their game.

Jets went down 49-46 to the Raiders when the two sides met earlier in the tournament but the Amelia’s Ward team cannot be counted out.

The Jets have in their team, national shooting guard Orin Rose who can win games by just uncorking shots from beyond the arc, and with the inside presence of the ‘big’ Webster brothers (Allister, Adrian and Joel), the Kevin Joseph coached team can pose serious problems for the Raiders.

The second game will be even harder to predict, especially with the Half Mile team defeating the Royals 57-52 in the preliminary round.
The Bulls have the best running team in the championship with the likes of national players Terron Welch, who is dangerous from three point territory, the all-round play of Dennis Niles, and the inside game of Michael Turner.

They also can rely on the inside moves by Shane Lewis, Keifer Tappin who has improved in his game also. Once Travin Dryden is available he will add to their inside game and be a force of one.

Royals, on the other hand will turn to Harold Adams, Lawrence ‘Bolo’ DeCoasta, Chris Williams, Marlon Pollydore, Nevin Glen and Dwight Cooper to lead their charges.