YBG / National School Basketball Festival – Regional Finals…Marian Academy (U14), President’s College (female), St. Roses High (U16), Marian Academy (U19) emerge champs

Jul 02, 2017 Sports

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This year’s Regional segment of the National Schools Basketball Festival (NSBF)

sponsored by the Edward B. Beharry Group of Companies Ltd and the National Sports Commission concluded in fascinating style on Friday last at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with four sizzling finals.
Capping the night off was Marian Academy which edged Plaisance Secondary in the Under-19 championship by three points, 68-65. St. Roses High after looking comfortable at one stage almost choked in the end but rallied to defeat President’s College 78-68 in the Under-16 final.
A spirited performance from President’s College in the female final saw them clawing their way back to humble Marian Academy by a single point, 35-34 in an entertaining game, while the first final of the night saw Marian Academy powering past President’s College in the Under-14 segment, 64-56.
The Under-19 finale lived up to expectations as a heated clash with Marian Academy holding its nerves to rally past a strong Plaisance Secondary Team, 68 – 65 points and in the process won their sixth Senior Regional title.
Leading the champions were Timothy Thompson who tipped in the game high 21 points along with 12 rebounds. Displaying a high level of energy and discipline was Jether Harris, in his second final of the night, he supported with 17 points and 6 rebounds, while Jahleel Young and Josiah Daniels added 11 and 9 points respectively to the winning cause.
The tournament’s MVP and Best Defensive Player, Nigel Bowen tipped in 15 points, 5 rebounds and 6 steals, but it was not enough to take Plaisance over the line. He was supported by Andrew Johnson who contributed the team

high 19 points with 5 from down town, Jared Sears had 16 points and 8 rebounds from the losers.
In the Under 16 final, St Roses High almost lost their focus and advantage but woke up at the right moment to water down the workmanlike performance of the spirited President’s College side to win 78-68.
U16 Most Valuable Player Anthony Yansen led his team with the game high 34 points along with 13 rebounds and 6 steals; able support came from Kwesi Roberts 11 points and 16 rebounds and Atilla Williamson 10 points, 6 steals as well as 4 assists.
Leading President’s College’ resurgence, which almost resulted in an upset win, was Rankin McDonald who poured in 22 points and pulled down 12 boards, Lanon Friday was good for 11 points and 9 rebounds, while Ashriel Burnett collected 10 points and effected 6 steals but in a losing effort.
The female final produced the biggest upset of the night as the President’s College girls, backed up by energetic and consistent support from current and past students, upstaged Marian Academy in the last three minutes to win a memorable showdown, 35 – 34 to claim the coveted Regional Championship.
Most Valuable Player of the female segment, Roshelle Campbell turned in a huge performance to lead her side to the win with 19 cherished points and also came up big with 14 critical rebounds. Teammate Saffiya Green, who was voted

the Best Defensive Player of the tournament, scored 9 points and hauled down a whopping 17 rebounds. The PC team came up big in out-rebounding their opponents which made a huge difference in the final outcome.
Marian’s Captain Jada Mohan, whose athleticism and classy plays which was the difference between winning and losing, cramped up at crunch time and had to leave the court, it was her absence that the PC girls celebrated as they outhustled the Marian side from that point.
Despite having to the leave the court and watch on in agony as her teammates struggled to contain their PC rivals, Mohan still ended up being the game’s top scorer with 21 points and 10 rebounds; Renuka Ramcharran had 7 points with two three’s and 3 rebounds for Marian.
In the Under-14 championship, Marian Academy thumped President’s College 64 – 56 to claim the title. Tournament MVP, Jether Harris poured in the game high 38 points and accounted for 28 rebounds and 3 assists. The next best contributor was Meshal Allicock with 8 points and 5 steals, while Ethan Fernandes also had 8 points for the winners.
Despite tournament Best Defender Gabriel Lin’s double, double for PC of 35 points and a similar amount of rebounds and 7 steals it was just not enough to deliver the silverware. Jushawn Bailey managed 4 points and 4 rebounds in the losing effort.
Assisting with the presentation of trophies and medals on the night were Ms. Monique Tiwari, Brands Manager for the Edward B. Beharry Companies, Mr. Brian Smith, Assistant Director of Sports, Mr Nigel Hinds President, Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation, and Mr. Rayad Boyce, YBG Director.
Meanwhile, the NSBF championship week is set to tip off tomorrow from 13:00hrs at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall where the nations’ best will now compete for national glory. (Franklin Wilson)

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