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Kwakwani bounces away with three of four NSBF titles
– St. Rose’s High prevents clean sweep
By Edison Jefford
Kwakwani Secondary School bounced away with three of the four National Schools’ Basketball Festival (NSBF) titles at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with St. Rose’s High School preventing a clean sweep Sunday night in the climax of the 2014 Edition.
Kwakwani began its rampage in the Edward B. Beharry Group-sponsored Under-14 competition, edging Marian Academy 30-29 to take that title. Keith Adams, who was adjudged Most Valuable Player (MVP), had 10 points and 13 rebounds for Kwakwani.
For Marian, the Best Defender winner, Joshua Brazoa finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds; he also had nine steals. Jahleel Young, who has been consistent for Marian throughout the tournament, had six points and a whopping 22
St. Rose’s High School’s Basketball team members pose with the U-16 Championship Trophy Sunday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall as YBG Director, Rayad Boyce (left) joins the team in celebrating the title.
‘boards’.
St. Rose’s High School spoilt what would have been a clean sweep for Kwakwani Secondary in the 2014 tournament when they won the Banks DIH-sponsored Under-16 title after unrelenting offensive pressure that helped them lead throughout the game.
Roses assumed an early 16-8 lead with four minutes to play in the first quarter with a lay-up from the starting guard, Nathan Saul, who finished another lay-up for a 22-10 advantage, seconds before the quarter ended 22-13 for Roses. At halftime Roses led 38-29, and maintained their lead even against the heroics of Kwakwani’s Domair Gladstone.
Roses blew away Kwakwani 85-64 in the end with Saul dropping 39 points, seven rebounds and six steals. He was adjudged MVP. Mark July scored 13 points and secured 10 rebounds to assist Saul in a rare offensive demolition of Kwakwani Secondary School that had Gladstone scoring a massive 32 points and grabbing 19 rebounds.
However, the Kwakwani camp quickly returned to dominance in the U-19 final when Gladstone finished a left-handed lay-up in the second quarter for a 22-15 lead. However, Andrew Williams landed a three-pointer for the opposing Plaisance Academy to cut the lead 22-24 minutes before the break.
It was the only close period between the two teams as Kwakwani assumed a 49-31 command at the end of the third quarter and never looked back. Kwakwani went on to win the Digicel-backed category 73-59 against Plaisance Academy.
Leonard Primo scored 29 points and grabbed 18 rebounds while Shafeeq Thomas had 12 points and four rebounds for Kwakwani. Kelvin Yorrick scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds for Plaisance Academy.
Kwakwani’s third title was compliments of their girls’ team, which finished 2-2, defeating Saint Stanislaus College and St. Rose’s High by a combined 70 points. Jenelle Belle averaged 10 points and four rebounds for the MVP Award. Makeida Rogers averaged 12 points and six rebounds for the Leading Scorer Award.
Other Awards: Digicel-sponsored: Best Uniformed Team, Best Emerging Team, Best Administration-Deborah Solomon all went to Bishops’ High while Best Fan Support went to New Amsterdam Multilateral.
Edward B. Beharry and Company LTD-sponsored: Best Coach, Courtney Taylor; Sportsmanship Individual, Patrice Agrippa both from St. Rose’s High, Sportsmanship Team (Marian Academy) and Senior Class Award-Jonathan Pooran (UG).
Banks DIH sponsored: Standout players:- Timothy Thompson (Bishops), Edmare Semple (New Amsterdam Technical Institute), Jamal Gilkes (Kwakwani), Jaleel Young (Marian Academy) and Kemmol Bejamin (Kwakwani) won awards.
Digicel’s Sponsorship and Events Manager, Gavin Hope said that he hopes to see more support for basketball, stating that the NSBF has a high standard and he anticipates that Youth Basketball Guyana will continue to ensure that the tournament grows.
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