The Lodge School held their nerve to defeat The St Michael School (SMS) in a keenly contested quarterfinal matchup as the Co-Operators General Insurance Ltd National Sports Council U19 Basketball Competition continued at Martindale’s Road on Monday.
Jumping out to an early 23-11 first quarter lead behind the strong play of Joshua Burke, Lodge looked like they would easily run away with the game on the home floor of the SMS team.
Led by star guard, Ari Mottley-Squires, SMS used a 24-19 second quarter run to cut the lead mid way through the game to seven points, 35-42.
Mottley-Squires and Aaron Massiah returned from halftime on a mission as each scored eight points in the third quarter to give SMS their first lead of the game, by as many as four points.
Ari Mottley-Squires drains a three on his way to 33 points for SMS.
The boys from Massiah Street held their nerve during this flurry by the home team, as Nathan King scored nine of his 23 points to give Lodge the advantage 60-58 after the third quarter.
At the start of the final period, Lodge used their defense to create turnovers and dominate in transition as they put the game away by winning the quarter, 28-12 and seal a semifinal berth with a 88-72 victory.
Burke led the Lodge team with 27 points while Immanuel Blai scored 12 and Dominique Bourne chipped in with 11.
For SMS, Mottley-Squires had a game high 33 points, while Massiah had 16, and Mikai Yearwood 10.
Lodge will battle the unbeaten favorites Queen’s College, who won their matchup with a comfortable 84-26 triumph over Christ Church Foundation.
The other semifinal matchup will bring Harrison College A against Combermere.
These games are scheduled to take place on Monday, December 2nd, at the Wildey Gymnasium from 2 p.m.Â
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Nathan King rises up for 2 of his 23 points as he led lodge to the semifinals.
