Aqua 'A' Hunt Eighth Straight Win

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Preseason favourites Aqua 'A' will be seeking their eighth-straight victory when they face Norman Gardens in the feature game of the Hi-Lyte/Institute of Sports (INSPORTS) Southern Conference Division One Basketball competition at the Tivoli Gardens courts today. The match will commence at 6 p.m. In another game that will be played simultaneously, Nannyville will battle Ebony.

The Howard McCarthy-coached Aqua, who are unbeaten in the league, lead Zone One with 14 points, one ahead of MegaMart Magics and Sky Legend.

They are followed by Norman Gardens and Duhaney Park on 10 points.

Aqua, who are coming off a comfortable victory over the previously unbeaten Magics in their last game, will start as favourites.

"We are pretty confident going into this game because our aim is to finish the season unbeaten," said McCarthy.

"We have been playing well in the league so far, and I think if my players execute as they normally do then we will be the victors," he said.

McCarthy added: "Norman Gardens have a good team, but I think that they depend too much on Sheldon McGrowder and I believe that once we shut him down then we will be able to limit their scoring.

hoping for good support

Aqua will rest their hopes in the hands of their leading scorer, Collin Wright, who has been averaging 17 points per game this season. Wright is expected to receive good support from Orane Blackwood and Anthony Richards.

In the meantime, Norman Gardens, who have two games in hand, are coming off a heavy 76-53 loss to the Magics. However, their coach Christopher Adams said his team will be seeking a comprehensive victory.

"They are unbeaten in the league, but we are not worrying about that because I am confident that we can secure this victory," said Adams.

"We did a lot of training over the weekend to tighten up on our defence and our rebounding because these are our problems this season, and hopefully we can get things right in this match," Adams said.

Along with McGrowder, who is averaging 15 points per game, Norman Gardens will be looking to Kaunola Marks and Carlos Kidd to lead their charge.