LeVaughn Flynn

Staff Reporter

ST. GEORGE'S Slayers coach, Lamar Dixon, says he is still searching for the right combination of players that will ensure a successful defence of their title. The reigning KFC National Basketball League champions played their third game of the season on Tuesday night, an 81-66 victory against Harbour View Lakers at the National Stadium courts.

Though Slayers won by 15 points, they aren't playing as fluidly as they were this time last season. They had 32 turnovers and went through the first five minutes of the second quarter before scoring a basket.

"We're still trying to get the right chemistry. The guys are still not too familiar playing with each other in game situations and we are still trying to iron out our positions," said Dixon. "Our three (small forwards) and our two (shooting guards) are perhaps our most difficult positions right now, so we're experimenting with different players to see which works best."

Rotation

Involved in that rotation with the shooting guards and small forwards are Ryan Pedlar, Leon Chung, Kali McCarthy, Michael Jackson, Kemour Brown, David Strachan and Aurane McKenzie. Jackson scored 16 points and Chung had 13 in Tuesday's victory, Slayers second of the season, to go along with a close loss to Arnett Gardens. Dwayne Goulbourne was the top scorer with 20 points and added four rebounds and four assists.

Lakers were led in scoring by Kevin Williams (13), Phillando Rowe (12) and Orette McKenzie (11). Williams, in particular, enjoyed an open lane to the basket a number of times and Dixon blamed this on defensive indiscipline by his team.

"Earlier in the game, I noticed if we pressured them we would get some turnovers and we started playing them man-to-man fullcourt. But later in the game it's like the guys forgot what we were doing and we started getting erratic so I tried to maintain it by having the right chemistry in there, mostly geared towards defence so we could keep score at a level."

The loss was the Lakers second following their first defeat to Arnett Gardens. They played in spurts, showing aggression at times but then laid back and allowed Slayers to extend the lead.

Intensity lacking

"The intensity of the team is just not there yet," said Lakers coach Donald Jackson of his team, which trailed at the end of the first three quarters 12-25, 26-38, 43-52.

"We started off very flat then we picked up the intensity and then it dropped again at critical stages and it cost us," Jackson said.

The game's highlight moment came midway through the fourth quarter when Goulbourne made a jaw-dropping alley-hoop dunk over Kede Guyah. Jackson supplied the pass from the right side of the three-point line and Goulbourne, while floating away from the basket, collected and slammed the ball in one quick, vicious motion with one hand.

"I don't even think Dwayne knew what he did," commented Dixon. "He was so high off the ground and so far away from the basket ... that was an unbelievable dunk and very good to see."

In Tuesday's other game, 2004 MVP Anthony Farquharson posted 32 points and 13 rebounds in Denham Town Wizards' 80-71 win over Runnin' Rebels. Jermaine Brown contributed 15 points while Elvender Norman (22 points and 26 rebounds) and Paran Brown (19 points) led Rebels.

Wizards have won their two games while Rebels have registered one win and two losses.