Marian Academy, St Rose’s High, President’s College crowned respective champions
National Schools Basketball Festival regional finals…
As action continued in the regional finals of the National Schools Basketball Festival (NSBF) held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Friday night, the Marian Academy’s U-14 males outlasted President’s College 64 to 56 points to claim the regional U-14 title.
U-19 Regional champions for a sixth time! The Marian Academy U-19 males
Tournament MVP Jether Harris had a game high 38 points, 28 rebounds and 3 assists; with Meshal Allicock’s 8 points, 5 steals and Ethan Fernandes’s 8 points giving good support to the Marian win.
Gabriel Lin (best defender) had a big double-double for PC with 35 points, 35 rebounds and 7 steals; while Jushawn Bailey helped with 4 points and 4 rebounds in a losing effort.
The victorious President’s College U-14 girls’ team
In the Female U-14 finals, the President’s College girls came from behind to pip Marian Academy 35 to 34 points to claim the coveted regional title.
Roshelle Campbell, tournament MVP, had a solid performance with 19 points and 14 rebounds; while Saffiya Greeen (best defender) had 9 points and 17 rebounds to give PC the win.
Jada Mohan (most assists), struggling with cramps and foul trouble, had a game high 21 points and 10 rebounds; while Renuka Ramcharran added 7 points and 3 rebounds for Marian.
In the U-16 finals, the St Rose’s High boys held on to their ‘favourites’ status with a workmanlike performance to beat a spirited PC team 78 to 68 points.
Anthony Yansen, the MVP, scored a game high 34 points, 13 rebounds and 6 steals; with teammate Kwesi Roberts having 11 points, 16 rebounds and Atilla Williamson having 10 points, 6 steals and 4 assists providing valuable assistance for Saint Rose’s.
Rankin McDonald top scored with 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Lanon Friday had 11 points, 9 rebounds and Ashriel Burnett 10 points, 6 steals for PC in the loss.
The U-19 Championship final lived up to its billing, with Marian Academy outgunning a potent Plaisance Secondary Team by 68 to 65 points to win their sixth senior regional title.
Timothy Thompson top scored with 21 points and 12 rebounds; while Jether Harris, playing in his second finals for the night, contributed 17 points and 6 rebounds, and Jahleel Young and Josiah Daniels also chipping in with 11 and 9 points respectively.
Tournament MVP and Best defensive player, Nigel Bowen, with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 6 steals, combined with Andrew Johnson’s contribution of 19 points and Jared Sears’s 16 points and 8 rebounds, was not enough for Plaisance to overcome their opponents.
This ends the Regional segment of this year’s NSBF, sponsored by the Edward B. Beharry Group of Companies Ltd and the National Sports Commission. However, the NSBF National Championships’ week will tip off on Monday, July 3, at 1pm at the same venue as the nation’s best will now compete for national titles.
