Starlites JSD made a strong statement in the KnockOut semifinals, stunning Luxol Sherries Estates to secure a place in the final against Hibernians.
The latter made the most out of the depth to turn the tide to their favour in the fourth quarter of the their tie against SiGMA Depiro. The winning pair face each other in the final on Sunday.
STARLITES JSD 90
LUXOL SHERRIES ESTATES 81
(19-21, 32-17, 23-19, 16-24)
Starlites emphasised their desire for another trophy with a dominant display to lead Lxuol for most of the game.
Matthew Scerri opened proceedings for Starlites with a confident three-pointer, quickly matched by Luxol’s Nathan Xuereb, who responded with five swift points to swing momentum momentarily in the Violets’ favour.
However, Starlites soon regained control through Ian Felice Pace and Max Curran’s accurate shooting, sparking a crucial run that saw them stretch to a six-point lead at 15-9.
Caleb Jones-McCrary then imposed himself inside the paint, bringing Luxol back into contention as the first quarter ended with Luxol edging narrowly ahead, 21-19.
The second quarter belonged decisively to Starlites. Scerri immediately levelled the score, and the dynamic Trevon Reddish-Rhone, whose aggressive drives troubled Luxol’s defence all afternoon, re-established Starlites’ lead.
Curran was particularly dominant during this phase, grabbing offensive rebounds for second-chance points and draining a key triple to widen the margin to 32-25.
Felice Pace contributed significantly from beyond the arc, landing two consecutive treys to push the advantage into double digits.
Luxol’s Darron Howard tried to steady the ship from the free-throw line, but another timely Scerri three-ball kept Starlites firmly ahead, 51-38, at halftime.
Starlites continued their dominance after the break, quickly extending their lead to 15 points through Curran’s fast-break finish.
Luxol’s efforts to rally relied heavily on Howard and Vukasin Jandric, who each landed crucial triples to reduce the gap briefly to seven.
However, Starlites immediately responded, with Reddish-Rhone and Felice Pace again pivotal.
Kurt Xuereb sparked a decisive 9-0 run late in the third quarter, his points crucial in extending Starlites’ lead to a game-high 21 points. By the end of the quarter, Starlites comfortably led 74-57.
The Violets faced an uphill battle in the final quarter, and despite spirited attempts to reduce the deficit, Knockout holders Starlites maintained their composure.
Nikola Djakovic and Adam Azzopardi scored quick baskets early in the fourth, narrowing the gap to 11 points, but Starlites swiftly halted any serious threat through timely baskets from Felice Pace and Curran.
Xuereb and Howard continued to push for Luxol, briefly narrowing the lead again to single digits.
However, an emphatic dunk from Reddish-Rhone, coupled with another clutch triple by Scerri, effectively ended Luxol’s hopes. Starlites calmly saw out the remaining moments, sealing an impressive victory to advance to the final.
STARLITES JSD: M. Curran 23, A. Aquilina, K. Fabri, I. Felice Pace 17, M. Fabri 3, M. Scerri 14, C. Paul 5, K. Xuereb 10, T. Reddish-Rhone 18.
LUXOL SHERRIES ESTATES: D. Howard 17, A. Azzopardi 10, V. Jandric 8, JP Schembri, N. Xuereb 17, N. Bukva 4, C. Jones Mccrary 16, S. Cappello 2, N. Djakovic 7.
Referees: F. Ciurariu, N. Azzopardi, W. Lim.
HIBERNIANS 91
SIGMA DEPIRO 77
(19-15, 18-21, 27-24, 27-17)
Hibernians secured their place in the final after defeating Depiro thanks to an exceptional fourth-quarter surge.
Tedrick Wolfe got Hibernians rolling early with quick points, supported by Derek Brown’s aggressive drives.
Depiro quickly settled into the contest, with Dominic Tomasi and David Bugeja finding success from mid-range, tying the game at 9-9.
Wolfe’s consistent perimeter shooting nudged the Paolites ahead, but Depiro’s Brandon Porter responded with a triple of his own to level at 15-15.
Ivan Demcesen’s interior presence and Wolfe’s tip-in basket ensured Hibernians closed the first quarter leading 19-15.
In the second quarter, Depiro briefly gained momentum through Porter’s sharp shooting, including successive fast-break baskets that gave them their first lead.
However, Wolfe and Demcesen steadied the ship for Hibernians, drawing fouls and converting crucial free throws to keep their side close.
Luke Farrugia chipped in with a timely three-pointer to edge Hibernians back ahead, while Cameron Cornelius’ jump shot kept Depiro within striking distance at halftime, with Hibernians holding a narrow 37-36 advantage.
After the break, Wolfe took over decisively, scoring at will, including two emphatic alley-oops that energised his team-mates.
Demcesen’s dominance inside the paint began wearing down Depiro’s defence, helping Hibernians build a double-digit lead midway through the quarter.
Despite Tomasi’s sharp three-point shooting, which reduced the deficit to just three points late in the third, Wolfe’s relentless attacking restored Hibernians’ momentum.
Demcesen added another key hook shot, leaving Hibernians ahead 64-60 going into the final period.
The fourth quarter was all Hibernians, who broke away decisively. Wolfe continued his stellar performance, opening the quarter with a quick floater, followed by a crucial three-pointer that stretched the lead.
Brown joined the party, scoring seven consecutive points – including a fast-break triple – to effectively put the game beyond Depiro’s reach.
Porter, who led Depiro’s efforts admirably, kept battling and reached a game-high 31 points, but by then Hibernians were firmly in control. Demcesen’s consistent finishing around the basket added to Depiro’s difficulties, and Wolfe fittingly capped his standout night with a smooth floating jump shot.
HIBERNIANS: N. Cassar 2, T. Wolfe 44, D. Brown 16, L. Farrugia 3, A. Axiaq 2, M. Gouder, M. Attard, M. Mallia, I. Demcesen 24, S. Simic.
SIGMA DEPIRO: S. Galea 2, D. Bugeja 11, N. Bozovic 2, L. Stefanovic, D. Tomasi 19, B. Porter 31, M. Brincat, C. Cornelius 12.
Referees: B. Vassallo, Z. Dobrosaviljevic, M. De Flavia.
Sunday’s Final
Starlites JSD vs Hibernians 15.30
