ExxonMobil National School Basketball Festival: Aroaima, President’s College, Kwakwani bag titles in respective categories

It was a night to remember in the ExxonMobil National School Basketball Festival as the grand finale in the Girls’ Division, Boys’ U-16 and Boys’ U-18 brought these categories to a close. Kwakwani, President’s College and Aroaima walked away with the spoils.

In the Girls’ Division, Kwakwani duked it out with Queen’s College in a one-sided affair that ended 46-17. Queen’s College had no reply as Kwakwani trampled them with ease in the first half; at half time, the scoreline was 27 points to 4 points in favour of Kwakwani. From there, QC could not pick themselves up and the Kwakwani ladies put the final nail in the coffin to secure the title. Leading the scoring for Kwakwani were Shania Sears (26 points, 10 rebounds) and Natalya Clarke (10 points, 9 rebounds and 11 steals). While shooting for QC was Cianna Barkoye with 6 points and 9 rebounds. Sears took home the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Best Scorer awards, while Clarke bagged the Best Defender and most assists prizes.

In the Boys’ U-16 category, President’s College and KidRock Academy did not disappoint as their finale had the entire crowd on their feet. The encounter saw President’s College overcome KidRock 65 points to 54 points. At half time, the scores were close as the teams were in the hunt for the title. With PC leading 24-21, they just managed to hold on to the very end. Scoring for PC were DeJaun Grant (26 points, 6 rebounds); Aiden Semple (16 points, 5 rebounds) and Abeil Ward (7 points, 17 rebounds). Scoring for KidRock were Elisah Robertson (18 points, 4 rebounds, 5 steals) and Stephen George (9 points, 9 rebounds). Grant received the MVP, Best Scorer, and Standout Player awards.

Heading into the last final, which was the Boys’ U-18, Aroaima defeated President’s College 103 points to 52 points. The U-18 final definitely brought the heat as the best match was definitely saved for last. At half time, the scores read 59 and 19 s in favour of Aroaima, who further extended their lead in the second half. The first-timers were in a class of their own as they dismantled a well-coached President’s College team, who came into the tournament as the defending senior champions.

Aroaima also defeated six-time champions Kwakwani and five-time champions Linden Technical Institute in winning their maiden championship. Scoring for Aroaima were Kasim English, who top-scored with 37 points and 14 rebounds; Kemol Grimmond (national 3×3 Caribbean Games bronze medallist) with 28 points, 8 assists, 15 rebounds; Adi Donald with 19 points and Kelon Phillips with 14 points. Shooting for President’s College were Kemol Mentore (24 points,13 rebounds) and Grant, the U-16 MVP, who had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Phillips won the tournament MVP and Best Scorer awards and Grimmond won the finals’ MVP and most assists awards.
The other special awards that were given out were:
* Best Emerging Team – Christ Church Secondary
* Best Uniform Team – The Bishops’ High School
* Best Fan Support – President’s College
* Sportsmanship Team – President’s College
* Sportsmanship Individual – Ronoko Vaughn (PC)
* Senior Class – Ronoko Vaughn (PC)
* Standout Players – Kassidy Woolford (GT Academy Girls), DeJaun Grant (PC U-16), and Demitri Rankin (Christ Church U18)
* Best Coach – Willon Cameron, President’s College
ExxonMobil Guyana is the major sponsor of this year’s tournament with support also coming from the National Sports Commission, G-Boat Guyana, Edward B Beharry & Company Ltd, and Banks DIH Ltd.