Hope teaches Parris a lesson

There’s no more hope for Jason ‘Pipey’ Parris.

That’s because the favourite to win it all was ousted at the quarterfinal stage of the Hope for the Ghetto road tennis tournament by Dwaine Hope on Saturday night. Hope, a teacher at the Frederick Smith school, taught Parris a lesson at the Deighton ‘Pa’ Roach Facility at Bush Hall, defeating him 21-19, 13-21, 21-15 to book his spot in the semifinals.

Hope, one of the best ‘B’ class defenders, was at his sublime best, as he thwarted every attack Parris could unleash.

He used his floating game to constantly force Parris, who prefers the ball coming with pace, into unforced errors.

Hope will have another tough test when he comes up against Tyrease Holder in Monday’s semifinals.

The 17-year-old Holder was taken the distance by Trevor Ifill, but came out victorious 12-21, 21-15, 21-17.

The other semifinal will see 16-year-old Azarie Clarke coming up against veteran Ashton  Blackett.

Clarke was also pushed to the limit by Dale ‘Dick’ Johnson, but eventually won 21-15, 18-21, 21-16, in a fiercely contested match.

Meanwhile, Blackett progressed to the last four with a straightforward 21-13, 21-13 victory over 11-year-old Kenoja Belgrave.

Despite losing the match, Belgrave must be commended for his excellent run in reaching the final right.

Azarie will now seek to take revenge for his older brother Suave, who Blackett eliminated from the competition at the round of 16. (RB)