By KEVIN SUNICH Tuesday, September 18 2012

MALONEY Pacers claimed the First Division of Eastern Community Basketball League (ECBL) which was played at the Maloney Indoor Facility.

Pacers a former champion, finished the league with 13 points from eight matches, with seven wins and a defeat. Valencia Heat another former winner placed second on 12 points on their return to the East zone after playing in the North East zone for a couple of years. Maloney Tigers finished third on 12 points with five wins and two defeats, while Success Village Pythons finished fourth on 11 points with four wins and three defeats.

These four teams will do battle for the Big Four title which begins on Wednesday. The two semi-finals will be played in a best of three series with the two winners squaring-off in the finals which will also be a best of three series. Tigers and Heat will get the ball bouncing with the first series starting on Wednesday. Pacers and Success will begin their series on Thursday.

The Second division was won by guest team Mayaro Pacers, with Maloney Pacers coming second, Red Hill Youth third and La Horquetta Forces fourth. Their Big Four which is also a best of three series will begin on tomorrow as well with Mayaro facing Forces in the first match of a double header.

Diego Martin All Stars another guest team, won the women’s league, with Maloney Pacers second, Success Village Pythons third and Yorkers Basketball Club fourth. Their Big Four will begin on Thursday with Pacers taking on Pythons.

Meanwhile Royal Extra Lions which did not make the first division Big Four, upstaged Valencia Heat 91-85 to win the Knock-out title. The Lions took care of Pythons and Maloney Pacers on their way to the final. On the women side Diego Martin took care of Maloney Pacers 55-42 to claim the title.