Latest update January 17th, 2025 6:30 AM
Wills powers NA ‘Multi’ past Marian Academy
-Outhustles the NSBF 2012 runners-up
By Edison Jefford
In what became a territorial battle Thursday night, a sort of Georgetown versus New Amsterdam clash, Neil Wills powered New Amsterdam (NA) Multilateral to a massive win against favoured, Marian Academy, when the National Schools’ Basketball Festival (NSBF) continued at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
DOMINATION! New Amsterdam Multilateral forward, Neil Wills dissects Marian Academy’s defence to finish two of his 17 points off the glass Thursday night when the NSBF continued at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Wills, a six-foot teenager, scored 17 points in the paint, and grabbed 14 rebounds to help destroy and outhustle the NSBF 2012 runners-up, Marian Academy in an electrifying environment which heavily favoured the team from the Ancient County.
Most spectators at the venue visibly supported the underdog; NA ‘Multi’ eventually thrashed the favourites, Marian Academy 30-11 for their biggest win of the tournament. Marian had no player in double figures, which was testament to Multi’s defence.
Wills dominated the glass, scoring six of the team’s 10 first-half points in the paint; NA led 10-2 at halftime and had to wait on Marian to exit the locker room for the second half, which signalled some despondence in the Marian camp following the initial period.
Wills, like a true ‘big man’, opened the second half with a baseline block that sent shockwaves to the Marian bench after their excellent defensive efforts. Multi broke down Marian’s defence with great ball movement that maintained their offensive advantage.
The lanky Wills finished an And1 move to put his school up 13-4; Antonio Mohammed landed a mid-range jumper just inside the three-point arc to add to the score with 15 minutes to play in the half; Multi, with a sizable advantage, immediately went to press defence.
Wills scored back-to-back put-backs off the glass to put his team up 21-4 as Marian continued to struggle offensively. Dwayne Obermuller broke the spell for Marian Academy when he landed a three-pointer with seven minutes left in regulation time.
But Kareem Bacchus answered right back from downtown for NA Multi before Joshua Hinds got one to clean the rim to seal Marian’s fate; it was a well-deserved win for Multi and certainly their biggest confidence booster ahead of this weekend’s final playoffs.
In other Under-17 games, St. Roses defeated Bishop’s High School 32-29 as Nathan Howell scored a game high 11 point and Daniel Haynes eight points for St. Roses. Marvin Durant scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds for Bishop’s High School.
Kwakwani Secondary thrashed Brickdam Secondary 56-15; Kerron Phillips scored 13 points and Damair Gladstone 11 points with Troy David adding 10 points for Kwakwani. Malcolm Moffat finished with eight points for Brickdam.
President’s College defeated Plaisance 54-21 with Jaleel Duke scoring 16 points and Eli Inniss 15 points and eight rebounds.
In the Under-20 competition, Marian Academy rebounded to defeat President’s College 37-31 as Tequain Vieira scored 13 points and Dominic Vincente eight points. Nyambekerie Bacchus had 16 points and 4 rebounds for President’s College.
Plaisance defeated Wismar/Christianburg Secondary School 51-47 with Nikkoloi Smith scoring 23 points and grabbing seven rebounds and Kelvin Yorrick scoring 10 points. Travin Dryden scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Wismar/Christianburg Secondary School.
The NSBF continues this weekend with the grand finale. Digicel, Banks DIH Limited and Beharry Group of Companies are the official sponsors of the nationwide competition.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
No conflict of interest exists
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- Accusations of conflict of interest have a peculiar way of rising to the surface in Guyana.... more
Clarifying misconceptions about the Panama Canal
Sir Ronald Sanders (Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS) By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News–... more
Weekend Cartoon
