In spite of a poor regular season, the DHL Wolves are playing well in the playoffs.
The squad is one win away from a finals berth in the Cayman Islands Basketball Association 2012 national men’s league. DHL beat the Esso Blazers 72-62 last Sunday at Camana Bay’s Arts and Recreation Centre.
Wolves head coach Duran ‘Trinni’ Whittaker states the focus is on erasing this season’s early struggles.
“No one beat them in the regular season and with our team, it was not the best season,” Whittaker said. “It was a good game and a good effort from the Blazers, who went 8-0 in the regular season. The key was defence, we played defence for 40 minutes.
“The playoffs is what it’s all about. They will have to fly on all cylinders to beat us.”
Four players were in double digits for the Wolves as Gary ‘Butcher’ McLaughlin led all scorers with 20 points, eight rebounds and three steals. He had help from Dwight O’Garro (18 points, 18 rebounds, eight blocks), Earl Allen (15 points, four assists) and Sandi Jiminez (11 points, four rebounds).
Esso countered with Shaad O’Garro and his 18 points off four three-pointers, 15 rebounds, five assists, six steals. Kevin Maxwell added 17 points, 11 rebounds.
DHL forced 18 turnovers while producing 13 steals and 11 blocks. That defensive intensity has Wolves players, like Earl Allen, confident in a victory.
“We played as a team with contributions from everyone,” Allen said. “That’s what it takes. Any one can take it over, as long as we move the ball. It’s not a one man thing, that’s how it’ll go.
“There’s more pressure on them. We’re coming back with less pressure. We can win. If we play like how we played on Sunday, we can do it.”
Esso were heavy favourites heading into the series. The Blazers were regular season champions and the number one seed after an unbeaten 8-0 run. Wolves meanwhile went 3-5 to end up in fourth place.
The first round best-of-three series now sees game two on Sunday, 13 May, at 5.30pm. Game three, if necessary, would be 20 May. With college players like Sammy O’Garro expected to return to the Esso fold, game two figures to be a tense one.
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