Marc Stamp, Gleaner Writer

Pembroke Hall and Linkup All Stars will square-off in Game One of the best-of-three Hi-Lyte INSPORTS Community Basketball League at the National Stadium courts, starting at 7 p.m.

Linkup All Stars hold a psychological advantage over their opponents who they defeated in a zone game earlier in the season. However, that could count for little as both teams are now in the final.

"We want to use the same chemistry we had in the game that we beat them (Pembroke Hall) earlier this season. However, we won't be taking them lightly," Dave McLaren, coach of Linkup All Stars, told The Gleaner yesterday.

McLaren disclosed confidently that his starting team for Game One comprises Narado Gordon, Maurice Hanson, Nico Campbell, Aquie Ferguson and Garfield Campbell.

"We want to big up TankWeld Fabrication, Tetley Tea, Jamaica Public Service, High Qual and Wihcon for their assistance to the team," McLaren said.

Meanwhile, Pembroke Hall coach Troy Constantine praised his team for reaching the final and getting promotion to the National Basketball League (NBL) that is set to start on March 23.

"Well, for my youngsters, the goal was to advance to the NBL coming up next month and we've achieved that. So the next thing is to win the Hi-Lyte/INSPORTS League. We have a couple youngsters in the team who are competing in a league for the first. They are overwhelmed to reach the final," Constantine said.

He also said: "The support from the community has been very good. The basketball team has taken many persons out of their homes. The support has been massive and the guys are eager to go."

He further stated: "It's my first time as coach that I have reached a final, so that's a personal milestone. I am eagerly awaiting tomorrow's Game One at the Stadium.

Calvin Martin, coordinator of the league, told The Gleaner that he was very happy with the crowd support and is expecting a massive turnout for Game One.

Game Two in the series is set for Monday at the National Stadium, starting at 6 p.m., while Game Three (if necessary) is scheduled for Wednesday, starting at 7 p.m.

The winner of the final will collect the Hi-Lyte/INSPORTS trophy and $100,000, while the runners-up will get $50,000.