Latest update November 25th, 2024 1:00 AM
Latest News
- ExxonMobil commences design for 7th project as Gov’t remains ‘iffy’ over approval
- Gov’t extends deadline for proposals on second phase of Gas-to-Energy project
- Hezbollah rockets land near Tel Aviv after big Israeli strike on Beirut
- 121 drivers nabbed speeding, 248 with unauthorised tinted glass
- Cop stabbed by Venezuelan national
Kwakwani Secondary lifts both YBG/ExxonMobil NSBF titles
Kaieteur Sports – The 2023 ExxonMobil/Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) National School Basketball Festival (NSBF) concluded on Sunday at the National Gymnasium with two thrilling finals for the Under18 Boys and Girls championship title. The Kwakwani Secondary School (KSS) achieved an unprecedented feat by clinching not one, but both titles at this year’s ExxonMobil NSBF.
The Kwakwani boys’ team, in particular, etched their names into the annals of history, securing their eighth NSBF championship in an entertaining showdown against President’s College, while the girls’ won their fifth title. The championship series was a rollercoaster ride of emotions, with Kwakwani boys’ and girls’ teams both showing remarkable talent and determination throughout the season.
Eight-time NSBF U18 champions Kwakwani Secondary School.
The girls’ exhibited stellar teamwork and unwavering spirit on the court, dominating President’s College (PC) Girls; bringing home their fifth championship trophy in the division. As PC stumbled to a 37-31 loss, the top performers for Kwakwani Girls were Sherel Leacock with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 6 steals, she was well supported by Deandra Hodge with 13 points and 4 rebounds, while Most Valuable Player (MVP) Malia Samuels finished with 6 points, 4 assist, 8 rebounds and 9 steals.
However, the boy’s journey was nothing short of extraordinary. With their sights set on clinching their seventh title; a feat that had eluded most schools in the history of the competition. The pressure was immense, as they faced the fierce PC Boy’s in the grand finale. President’s College Boys; a perennial powerhouse known for its basketball pedigree, went down to the Kwakwani Boy’s in a crunching 71-68 finish.
Kwakwani U18 Girls team crowned champions.
Kwakwani Boy’s started the game with an intensity rarely seen before, taking control of the match from the opening whistle. Kelon Phillips and Kasim English built an early lead, displaying a breathtaking combination of fast breaks, sharpshooting, and tenacious defence.
As the clock ticked down in the fourth quarter, PC mounted a valiant comeback, narrowing the point gap and injecting a nerve-wracking tension into the Gymnasium arena. Despite facing a formidable PC, the KSS boys’ remained unfazed, executing their game plan flawlessly. The match turned into a high-octane affair, with both teams leaving no stone unturned in their quest for victory.
Malia Samuels knocks down a free-throw for KSS during Sunday night’s final.
However, KSS boys’ demonstrated their championship mettle, mustering their collective strength and making crucial plays to thwart their opponent’s efforts. Phillips eventually finished with 32 points and 5 rebounds, while English finished with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 6 steals saw KSS emerging victorious at the end of the contest. PC’s Eziekiel Saul also produced a commendable performance securing the first triple-double in NSBF history.
2023 NSBF MVP Kasim English (with ball) in action against PC.
The ExxonMobil NSBF U18 finals were a spectacle to behold, attracting a full-capacity crowd eager to witness history in the making. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation and excitement, as both teams showcased their skills and strategic acumen to secure both titles. A brief presentation ceremony were held after the last finals, seeing Malia Samuels of the KSS securing the MVP award in the Girl’s division, while Kasim English copped the Boy’s MVP award. Kelon Phillips and Leshana Mohamed were adjudged Best scorer in respective division of the 2023 championship.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
The business class also funds undemocratic parties
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- There’s a peculiar phenomenon in Guyana, a sort of cyclical ritual, where members of... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
