Latest update February 14th, 2025 8:22 AM
Guyana down Jamaica to reach CBC U16 Final Four – play Barbados tonight for shot at title
Jordan Alphonso towers above his defence for a jumper in the paint last night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Guyana downed group leaders Jamaica last night in a game they had to win big to advance to their first Final Four of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Under-16 Championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
The young Guyanese put in a spirited effort and never surrendered the offensive advantage to ensure they have a shot at the title tonight when they play Barbados, the second place finishers in Group A. Guyana beat Jamaica 73-57 to the top their Group B with Jamaica as runner-ups.
The Jamaicans will play Bahamas in the other semi-final tonight. Guyana had beaten Aruba in their opening game but lost to Suriname, which forced them in a position to win two games to advance. Guyana defeated Trinidad and then Jamaica to be among the four best teams in the Caribbean.
Despite a fourth quarter blitz from Jamaican guard, Jalen Menzies, Guyana’s defence that was always on point throughout the game held up to hold off the Jamaicans. It was a clutch performance from the Guyanese, who now has a genuine chance of reaching tomorrow night’s Final.
Centre/Forward, Jordan Alphonso bullied his way in the post to a double-double 22 points and 12 rebounds while Kevon Wiggins was sensational for 16 points. Shooting guard, Shamar France also played well for 13 points while Akeem Crandon dominated the offensive glass for 10 points and 22 rebounds with 14 of those being on the offensive end.
Menzies scored 12 of his 25 points in the final quarter while Samora Williams recorded a double-double of 17 points and 17 rebounds. Guyana started with a brilliant 2-3 zone defence that held Jamaica to just six points in the first six minutes of the game while displaying brilliant offensive movement with France nailing a step-back three point jumper and then a mid-range buzzer-beater to end the first quarter with Guyana up 16-11.
Alphonso played great individual defence as well finishing with two blocks in the opening period, one being a nasty chase down block that sent the vocal crowd into a frenzy. Guyana’s defence continued to shutdown Jamaica’s star players Menzies and Williams in the second period while Crandon was an offensive horror on the glass for Jamaica which helped Guyana use a 10-0 run to extend their lead to 33-19 to finish the first half up by 14 points.
Guyana controlled the tempo and ran the ball for a few easy buckets in the penultimate period. Guyana controlled the entire game to rout the Jamaicans.
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