The Tribune

IT’S now down to the final four in New Providence Basketball Association (NPBA) semifinals, featuring three former champions.

When the best-of-five playoffs get underway at the CI Gibson Gym on Saturday night, the defending champions Commonwealth Bank Giants and Vince Ferguson divisional pennant winners, are slated to take on their second place rivals Police Crimestoppers in the 7:30pm opener.

The 9pm feature contest will be between last year’s runners-up Mail Boat Cybots, the John Archer’s divisional pennant winners, and the former champions Real Deal Shockers.

Game two is set for next Wednesday with game three on Friday. If necessary, they will play game four on Saturday.

While the Giants and the Cybots both advance with two game sweeps in their mini best-of-three first round playoffs, both the Crimestoppers and the Shockers had to go to their third and deciding games on Wednesday night to earn their berths into their divisional finals.

In the feature game, the Police blew out the Conquerors 121-85, while the Real Deal got by the Rockets 114-110.

Crimestoppers 121,

Conquerors 85

In their best offensive game for the series, the Police stepped it up a notch by producing a balanced scoring attack led by Vernon Stubbs’ game high 23 points with five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Dion McPhee had 22 points, while Mitchell Johnson had 20 points and Jeremy Hutchinson chipped in with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

In a losing effort, Able Joseph scored 22 points with 11 rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Christorr Stuart had 15 points and 11 rebounds, Bernard Bonamy had 11 points and both Tyrell Griffin and Garvin Scavella had 10 each. Scavella also had nine rebounds.

Shockers 114,

Rockets 110

Floyd Armbrister scored 31 points with six rebounds and six assists in the win. Ahmon Baker had 17 points with eight rebounds and six assists, Corey Williams had 15 points with six rebounds, Devon Brennen had 13 points and 12 rebounds, Wilfred Culmer had 11 points and Randy Ferguson added 10 points with seven rebounds.

In a losing effort, Tameko Moxey had a game high 39 points with five rebounds, Adorn Charlow had 24 points with 17 rebounds, Henderson Curry had 22 points with six rebounds and Jeran Adderley chipped in with 14 points and 10 rebounds.