Legends seal play-offspot with OT victory

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

National invitee Havando Dunn flourished as he notched a game-high 32 points to lead Majesty Gardens Legends to an exciting 76-66 overtime victory over the Jamaica Defence Force in the Flow/National Basketball League (FNBL) at the Edgewater on Sunday.

The win also sealed the Legends' spot in the all-island play-offs, which are set to begin in two weeks. The Legends, who ended the second round with four wins and two defeats, will now join defending champions Urban Knights, Spanish Town Spartans, Pembroke Hall, and St Georges Slayers as the early qualifiers for the play-offs.

"We are feeling really good because things are coming together in terms of teamwork and our rebounding is getting much better," said Ludlow Barker, coach of the Legends.

"Our defence is sound and we are finishing off games much better than we did in the first round of the competition," he added.

Dunn, one of the top shooting guards this year, received good support from captain Baldon Todd, who contributed 13 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

Barker, whose team lost out in the finals to Tivoli Wizards in 2011, says his players have trained very hard this season and everyone is now looking forward to give a good account of themselves in the play-offs.

"I think that my players are very confident at the moment because they are looking at the semi-finals and final, but as a coach I just want them to stay focused on our next game," Barker said.

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"We have been getting more production from other players on our team and this is excellent for us as we move into the play-offs," he pointed out.

Keeble Wright (26 points) and Stephen Spence (16 points, 15 rebounds) were the leading scorers for the soldiers, who are out of contention for a spot in the play-offs.

In the curtain raiser of the double-header, Link Up All Stars put a dent into St Georges Saints' pursuits to qualify for the play-offs, by beating them 67-63.

Sheldon Little led the way for the All Stars - who are out of contention for the play-offs - with a game-high 25 points and 11 rebounds. He received good support from Clayon Reece, who added 14 points and grabbed 15 rebounds.

The Saints' leading contributors were Kirk Ferguson (22 points and 13 rebounds) and Conroy Morgan (16 points and 13 rebounds).