Herbert Morrison keen to grab home advantage

Tension will be sky-high with an unbeaten record on the line as quarterfinal matches in the ISSA rural basketball competition wrap up this afternoon, with action tipping off at 2:30 p.m.

In a top-of-the-zone clash, basketball lovers out west will have their eyes locked in on Group 2's unbeaten under-19 team Herbert Morrison Technical High School (HMTHS) hosting Holmwood Technical High.

As they have already qualified for the semifinals, Levar Rose, coach of HMTHS, said they will be focusing on key areas of their game that need improvements.

"We want to secure the homecourt advantage, that is the aim. We just need to improve our commitment on defence, increase our ball movement ... and reduce excessive dribbling so the team performs consistently," said Rose.

"I think once we make the necessary adjustments and correct these three things, I know we will go a long way in the competition."

In their last game against Glenmuir High on Monday, HMTHS blew out their opponents 52-33. Joshua Ferguson's 15 points, added to his three rebounds, three assists and four steals helped to deliver the win.

Holmwood, however, arrive with disruption on their mind. The Manchester-based side, with only two losses all season, sees this clash as their chance to flip the script, snap HMTHS' unbeaten run, and inject chaos into the title race.

"We are already qualified but this is a big game for us, it is a big deal," said Andrew Brown, Holmwood's coach. "We want to finish on top of the zone.

"The team is ready, we are prepared, we expect to come out strong and be victorious when we touch the court," added Brown

In their match on Monday, Holmwood crushed Garvey Maceo High 75-32 through Melvin Ragoo's 27 points, seven rebounds, 13 assists and five steals.

Another interesting matchup looms in the under-16 competition when HMTHS face a tough Knox College at 1 p.m.

Group 2's HMTHS have been bulldozing their way through opponents with flowing offence and a stout defence that has made them one of the favourites. With homecourt advantage for the semifinals hanging in the balance, the hosts will be desperate to maintain their perfect run.

However, carrying just two losses this season, Knox enter the rescheduled encounter hungry to shake things up and hand HMTHS their first scar of the campaign. A win would not only derail the hosts' momentum, but announce Knox as serious contenders when it matters most.

Othneil Barnaby, coach of Knox, describes the matchup as a defining moment for his team, with tactical adjustments planned for his opponents.

"We are coming into this game fully prepared and ready for them. We saw that we were evenly matched in the last game, but looking at it, it's going to come down to will power and what it is that we can do to come out victorious in the game," said Barnaby.