Saints, SHC S’Team crowned U21 champions as National Junior Indoor Hockey Championships conclude

Saints and SHC S’Team captured the Under-21 girls’ and boys’ titles, respectively, as the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) National Junior Indoor Hockey Championships concluded on Saturday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), with SHC Sensations and SHC Sigmas also securing championship honours in the Under-17 divisions.

Saints produced a commanding performance in the U21 girls’ final, defeating GCC Spartans 4-1, while SHC S’Team held off a determined comeback from GCC Cowboys to claim the U21 boys’ crown with a 5-3 victory.
In the girls’ final, Clayza Bobb led the way for Saints with a double, finding the net in the fourth and 18th minutes. Makaylah Poole extended the advantage in the 20th minute before Hadassah Fraser completed the scoring in the 30th.
GCC Spartans’ lone goal came from Hannah Percival in the 16th minute, which had briefly reduced the deficit to 1-1 before Saints regained control of the encounter. Saints held a 1-0 advantage at halftime.
The U21 boys’ final provided an entertaining contest as SHC S’Team raced to a commanding 4-0 lead before GCC Cowboys mounted a late fightback.
Jabari Lovell was the standout performer for S’Team, scoring a hat-trick with goals in the ninth, 14th and 19th minutes. Clay Bobb contributed a double, opening the scoring in the fourth minute before adding another in the 27th.
GCC Cowboys, who trailed 3-0 at halftime, responded through a brace from Grant Fernandes in the 20th and 22nd minutes. Lucas Sargeant added another in the 28th minute, but S’Team held on to secure the championship.
Meanwhile, in the U17 girls’ final, SHC Sensations defeated OFHC Phantom Troupe 3-1 to claim the title, while SHC Sigmas edged GCC Outlaws 1-0 in the U17 boys’ championship match.

The finals followed a series of semifinal encounters earlier on Saturday, which determined the teams advancing to the championship matches.
In the U21 girls’ semifinals, Saints booked their place in the final with an emphatic 6-0 victory over Hikers, while GCC Spartans overcame OFHC Bomb Quad 3-2 in a closely contested encounter.
The U21 boys’ semifinals saw GCC Cowboys dominate Hikers 7-0, while SHC S’Team secured their place in the championship match with a convincing 4-1 victory over OFHC Vipers.
In the U17 girls’ division, OFHC Phantom Troupe registered the largest victory of the semifinal round, defeating Multi Stars 9-0, while SHC Sensations overcame GCC Her-ricanes 3-1.
The U17 boys’ semifinals were more competitive, with GCC Outlaws defeating Hikers Hatchets 4-2 and SHC Sigmas recording a 4-1 victory over OFHC Predators.

Individual awards
Several outstanding players were also recognised for their performances throughout the championships, with awards presented in the four age-group divisions.
In the U21 girls’ division, GCC Spartans’ Rebecca Ferreira was named Player of the Tournament, while Saints’ Sarah Harry received the Best Goalkeeper award. Hikers’ Alia Thomas was recognised as the Most Promising Player.
For the U21 boys, SHC S’Team’s Jabari Lovell secured the Player of the Tournament award, while teammate Malik Chester was named Best Goalkeeper. GCC Cowboys’ Giovanni Grant received the Most Promising Player award.
In the U17 girls’ category, SHC Sensations’ Makaylah Poole was adjudged Player of the Tournament. OFHC Phantom Troupe’s Jazlyn Smith claimed the Best Goalkeeper award, while Multi Stars’ Angelique Smith was named Most Promising Player.
GCC Outlaws’ Grant Fernandes received the Player of the Tournament award in the U17 boys’ division, while SHC Sigmas’ Clay Bobb earned the Best Goalkeeper honour. GCC Outlaws’ Luc Scott completed the individual award recipients after being named Most Promising Player.
The Saturday night finals brought the curtain down on the national junior championships, which began on Wednesday, October 7, and featured competition across the U17 and U21 boys’ and girls’ divisions.