Young Goatz and Belco Bangers will reap the rewards of finishing in the top two at the end of the regular season in the Bermuda Basketball Association League by receiving byes in the play-off first round.

Goatz, the defending champions, topped the standings after edging Reapers 52-51 on Saturday to finish with a record of eight wins and two defeats from ten matches, while Bangers finished with six victories and four losses after being beaten 55-32 by BWS Flyboys on the same night.

Answers, Flyboys, Kings, and Reapers are now heading into the single elimination play-offs, which start on March 2. Goatz and Bangers will join the action on March 9, with the finals to be played seven days later. All matches take place at The Berkeley Institute.

Te’Jour Riley, the Goatz captain, is hoping his team will maintain the same driving force from the regular season when they head into the playoffs.

“We are grateful to finish the season on a winning streak and hopefully we can carry this momentum into the playoffs,’’ Riley said.

“The biggest thing for us will be practice and staying in a good rhythm while we wait to see which team we will face in our first game.”

BBA vice-president Joshua Nesbitt said the league is taking a break this weekend, with the playoffs taking place upon resumption.

“All play-off games are single elimination,” nesbitt said. “In short it is win or go home.”