BY KWESI MUGISA, Staff Reporter
RUNNIN REBELS GOT their season off to a fast start when they turned back newcomers Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) 65-53 in the lone KFC/bmobile-sponsored National Basketball League (NBL) match on Thursday at the National Stadium courts.
The Rebels, who were knocked out in the first round of the play-offs last year, saw their season-opener against Link-Up All Stars scheduled for Sunday postponed due to rain. Perhaps this saw them come out a bit rusty and after the first quarter found themselves trailing the JDF 12-14. The army men, who won their first game of the season against the Norwood Storms, would narrowly hold on to their lead and headed into half-time with a 27-26 advantage.
DISAPPOINTED
However, the third quarter would see the Rebels come roaring back, led by an explosive 10 points by Gregg Warlock who finished with 13 overall and eight points from Andrew Grant, who top-scored in the encounter with 15 points. They would overtake the JDF early in the third quarter and end it with a 10-point lead, never to look back.
Despite the win, Rebels coach Pete Matthews believes that there is still a lot of work to be done.
"We won the game but I am not pleased with the regularity of our practising. It's still early in the season but it is important that everybody comes to the training sessions," he said.
While disappointed with the outcome, JDF coach Everald Hermit remains positive.
"I took a lot of positives from the game, we were playing a seasoned NBL team and they were the ones that looked scared of us," he said. "We were not beaten defensively but, the guys got a little overzealous and gave up some unnecessary fouls."
Mario Prawl topscored for the JDF with 14 points.
The competition continues today with a double-header at the same venue. Denham Town Wizards will take on the Norwood Storms at 6:00 pm, while St. George's Slayers will tackle Portmore Flames at 8:00 pm.
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