17th National Schools Basketball Festival 2024: Kwakwani, QC, Bishops’ clinch titles

Kwakwani Secondary Under-18 Girls, Queen’s College Under-14 Boys, and The Bishops’ High School’s Under-18 Boys clinched Championship titles at the 17th National Schools Basketball Festival (NSBF) on Sunday evening at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.
Queen’s College, after finishing runners-up in 2023, came out with all guns blazing against Berbice High School, and two points proved to be the decider between them, QC clinching the title with the scoreline reading 55-53.
With 22 points, Darren Dublin led the Queen’s College offensive attack and received support from Captain Jarren Boucher and Anfernee Cummings with 10 points each, and Jonathon Gomes with 9 points.

Berbice High School Captain Avion Kensey, with a Most Valuable Player performance, netted 29 points, and Ethan Azar contributed 10 points.
In a comment to Guyana Times Sport, Queen’s College Captain Jarren Boucher divulged the key elements of their success.
Boucher said, “It was a very good game. We started the game well, and second half we got a little complacent, but we got the job done at the end. I think tonight’s performance was a good one, our defense was lacking in the second half and got a bit tired, but I think overall we played with a good team spirit and came out with a victory.”
Kwakwani Secondary managed to defend their title, as a three-pointer from Lanasha Mohammed proved pivotal with seconds on the clock, allowing them to achieve a significant two-point margin of victory. their tenacity in offense enabled them to smash the defenses of President’s College and leave the scoreboard reading 24-22.
Sheresse Leacock’s 8 points proved important for Kwakwani Secondary.
Captain of Kwakwani Secondary, Malia Samuels, expounded to this publication that the game was tough, but he is happy that they could make their community proud.
“Well, the feeling is great! It was a tough game, but we pulled through it and we made our community proud again. Well, tonight’s performance wasn’t our best, because the previous games we played much better and we scored more points,” Samuels explained.

In the Boys’ U18 final match-up, the Bishops’ High School, guided by Carmelo Man-Son-Hing, showed their ability to counter to the hoops against Kwakwani Secondary School, as they dethroned the defending champions with the scoreline reading 71-60.
Carmelo Man-Son-Hing scored 44 points as he continued being a pivotal component for Bishops’ High School. He received support from Captain Micah Williams with 7 points.
On the losing side, Kwakwani Captain Cordel Hoyte led from the front in scoring 35 points, and Arren Nanlewin contributed 14 points.
Carmelo Man-Son-Hing also spoke with this publication and revealed the key elements to their success.
“All we feeling right now is joy for all the hard work that we have done! We have dominated all year, and now is because of the effort and continued support from our coaches. Our defense for sure was key. They really came at us hard and we know all that was coming. So, it was all about the defense,” Carmelo said.
In individual accolades, Avion Kensey copped the Most Valuable Player accolade in the U14 Category, while in the Boys U18 Category, Carmelo Man-Son-Hing was the recipient of the MVP award, and Sheresse Leacock copped MVP in the Girls U18 Category. (Omar McKenzie)