Reigning champions Kolij open with a win

The National Sports Council Under-15 Schools basketball competition tipped off with games playing across various school courts this week as Harrison College, Queen’s College and the St Michael School opened their accounts with victories.

Defending champions Harrison College (HC) narrowly defeated Alexandra (AX) 30-25 with Tyler Gill leading the way for the Kolij boys with 11 points.

Facing deficits after the first and second quarters 5-9 and 14-15, HC used their home court advantage to out-score the AX team 10-6 in the third quarter and take a 24-19 lead into the final period.

Ikorus Brathwaite took the offensive load of AX on his shoulders, scoring a game high 19 points. But this was not enough as the two teams exchanged baskets in the fourth period to give HC the five-point win.

Over at Husbands, stand-out guard Kemani Maynard scored 14 points in the first quarter as Queens College (QC) went on to defeat Deighton Griffith Secondary 43-16.

QC jumped out to a 20-3 lead at the start of the game and from thereon the win was never in doubt as they built a 30-point advantage during the second half before closing out strongly.

Maynard ended the game with 20 points while Morgan Holder-Briggs was the lone player to reach double figures for Deighton Griffith with 11 points.

Despite a slow start, the St Michael School A (SMS-A) were able to defend their home court and defeat Christ Church Foundation (CCFS) boys 40-32.

After a tight first quarter, SMS-A led 12-10 behind six points from Amarie Rouse. Showing their consistent ability to score, SMS out-scored the visitors 11-8 during the second quarter to take a 23-18 advantage into half-time.

SMS-A battled after half-time behind the strong play of Rouse as they maintained the lead throughout the game, outscoring CCFS 17-14 in the final two quarters.

Rouse finished with 16 points while Jeremiah Watson scored 12 points for CCFS.

The tournament, organized by the National Sports Council, consists of ten participating schools with the St Michael School fielding A and B teams.

Teams are split into two zones with games being played from Monday to Thursday.

The Under-17 tournament will also commence when the Under-15 competition comes to an end early in the next school term.

Following is next week’s schedule of games: (Home teams mentioned first)

• Monday, March 10 – Deighton Griffith vs CCFS, Graydon Sealy vs SMS A.
• Tuesday, March 11 – Harrison College vs Combermere, SMS B vs Coleridge & Parry, Lodge vs Alexandra.
• Wednesday, March 12 – CCFS vs Queens College, Graydon Sealy vs Deighton Griffith.
• Thursday, March 13 – Coleridge & Parry vs HC, Lodge vs SMS B, Combermere vs Alexandra.

(ZM)