LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

Jomo Heron (top left), Andy Smith (top right), Fernando Young (sitting left) and Linton Murray, enjoying their second KFC National Basketball League title in three years. The Urban Knights players previously won the Patrick Ewing Trophy in 2004. - photo by Anthony Minott

For four Urban Knights players, they were winning the coveted Patrick Ewing Trophy for the second time in three years. With contrasting teammates and dynamics leading to the 2007 title, they hold this one dearer.

Knights defeated Blazing Panthers 94-77 on Sunday night at the National Stadium courts to sweep their series 2-0 and win the KFC National Basketball League.

Linton Murray, who was voted the finals MVP, Fernando Young, Andy Smith and Jomo Heron were members of the team that beat St. George's Slayers in 2004 and were on board for the ride again to put away Panthers.

Younger team this year

Their supporting cast this year was a much younger team. Several players were playing in the league for the first time and only six players survived from 2006.

Additionally, the team almost crumbled mid-season before finding strength in each other to continue.

"The first one was kind of surreal, but this, I really felt it more," commented Murray, who averaged 19 points for both games after scoring 24 in game one's 81-76 win.

"This one sweeter," added Heron. "I quit my job in Florida just to be here and dedicate myself to the team so this one is more special."

Smith said nothing will replace the first, but the extra work put in this year makes winning a special feeling.

"We put in a lot of work this year so this feels really good," he said.

Led by Andrew Whilby's 22 points and 13 rebounds, Knights won the first half 43-36 and Young chipped in with 14 points and five assists in the second half to stave off another threatening Panthers' fourth-quarter run.

Point after point

With Kirk Ferguson (24 points) and Desmond Harriott (16 points) leading the charge, Panthers came within five points (67-72), quickly cutting a 15-point lead. The late Panthers run was reminiscent of game one when they went on a 15-0 run to come within two points.

Explosive slam dunks by Harriott and Anthony White (14 points and 12 rebounds) fired up the Panthers in their quest to force a game three, but Knights always found a way to respond and extend their lead.

Whilby, who was on the receiving end of both dunks, said he entered the game with the intention of finishing the series on Sunday night.

"I didn't want a game three so I planned to finish it tonight. I'm proud of myself and the team because we got the result we wanted," he said.

Of the dunk-offs, Whilby added: "I don't feel any way about it. It's part of the game, plus I'm the one with the trophy."

Urban Knight's collected several trophies on Sunday night. Along with being voted finals MVP, Murray won the mid-season finals MVP. Calvin Martin was also voted Coach of the Year and he said it was a tough season for the club.

"We had to persevere more this year (compared to 2004)," he said. "The season was hard and we've been training for more than a year."

Amidst the mass celebrations on Sunday, Panthers coach, Donald Bimmer, was gracious in defeat. He had already begun looking to next season and the positives from being a finalist.

"The club is not ashamed. No one expected us to reach this far," he stated. "We are now legitimate title contenders and we will have much more respect in the league next year."