Final 4 confirmed as KFC Schools Basketball Festival heats up

The road to championship glory intensified over the weekend as the 19th KFC National Schools Basketball Festival resumed with an exciting slate of quarterfinal action, producing dominant performances, thrilling finishes, and the confirmation of the semi-final line-up in both the Under-14 and Under-18 divisions.
With the tournament continuing over the weekend, several schools strengthened their championship credentials through impressive victories at the National Gymnasium.
In the Under-14 category, Skeldon Line Path edged St Rose’s High 36-33 in one of the day’s closest encounters. Kellon Lyte and Araf Wazidally shared team-high scoring honours with 12 points each, while Eshmael Coodluck contributed seven points and six rebounds. St Rose’s was led by an outstanding double-double from Jonathan Sullivan, who finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Kwakwani Secondary secured a convincing 37-19 victory over The Bishop’s High behind a balanced team effort. Trayon Hopkinson recorded 12 points, six rebounds and four steals, while Kwayson Bethune added 10 points, five rebounds and six steals. Jermain Sampson also scored 10 points. Sameer Roopnarine led Bishops’ with 12 points.

One of the tournament’s most dominant displays came from Hururu Secondary, who overwhelmed St Stanislaus College 78-13. Crandon Beckles delivered a spectacular all-around performance with 35 points, 13 rebounds and 10 steals to record a triple-double. Josiah Archer supported with 21 points and five rebounds, while Marvelon Forde added 12 points, five assists and six steals. Nathan Baptist led St Stanislaus with eight points and 12 rebounds.
The final Under-14 quarterfinal saw Good Hope Secondary hold off Queen’s College 18-15 in a defensive contest. Javier Matthews paced Good Hope with nine points and seven rebounds, while Michael Humphrey scored six points for Queen’s College.
The Under-18 competition also produced several commanding performances.
President’s College cruised past St Ignatius Secondary 50-13, powered by Mattaniah Fordyce’s 13 points. Ricardo Ramdhial added 10 points and four rebounds, while Terron Mohabir chipped in with nine points. Despite the defeat, St Ignatius’ Anson Heliger battled hard for five points and 11 rebounds.
St Rose’s High booked its semifinal place with a 31-23 victory over Covent Garden Secondary. Chazaiah Bernard dominated with 19 points and nine rebounds, while teammate Malachi Atwell contributed six points. Covent Garden received seven points each from Aron Cooper and Donnie Copp.
Queen’s College advanced after defeating The Bishop’s High 32-28. Deshawn Gurrick led the winners with 12 points, while Nathan Morris finished with six points and four rebounds. Bishops fought until the final whistle behind Tierre McIntosh’s 11 points and four rebounds and Kemol Pickering’s 10 points and seven rebounds.
The final Under-18 quarterfinal featured another impressive showing from Kwakwani Secondary, who defeated New Amsterdam Multilateral School 50-43. Tyreek Sampson led the scoring with 17 points and seven rebounds, Marlon Mendonca added 15 points and five rebounds, and Simeon Sinclair contributed 13 points and four rebounds. New Amsterdam’s Samuel Welcome produced a strong double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Tyrese Archer added 13 points and seven rebounds.
The 19th KFC National Schools Basketball Festival is sponsored by KFC, Edward B Beharry & Company Ltd, G-Boats Inc, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and the Ministry of Education.