Kwakwani Secondary and Mackenzie High start on winning note

Sep 12, 2023 Sports

Linden Mayor’s Cup Schools U-21 Basketball tournament

Two more matches set for tomorrow at New Silvercity Hard Court

Kaieteur Sports – There were opening wins for tournament favourites Kwakwani and Mackenzie High as the first ever Linden Mayor’s Cup Schools Under-21 basketball championship began last Friday at the Retrieve Hard Court in Linden.

In the first game of the tournament Kwakwani sent out warnings to opponents with a 50-3 thrashing of Wisburg Secondary behind Osaiah Conway netted 16 points as teammates Rashane Sampson and Arron Vanlewin each scored 10 points. Kwakwani were ahead at lemon break 22-3 and held their opponents scoreless in the final half of play.

Mackenzie High staved off a late challenge from New Silvercity Secondary winning 26-20 after a 12-9 first half advantage.

Vladimir DaSilva and Rayhan Bakker scored seven points apiece as Jamaine McCalmont supported with four. The best player for the losing New Silvercity Secondary unit was Rasheed Hinds who had a game high 17 points.

Two more games will be okayed tomorrow (Wednesday) at another venue, Silvercity Hard Court where from 2.30pm Marcia Craig Educational Institute face Christianburg Wismar Secondary (Multi) and at 4.00pm Wisburg Secondary tackle Linden Technical Institute.

Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon on the occasion of this initiative offered: “We (the Mayor and Town Council) are very encouraged to partner with these organisations, Department of Education, United States –based Lindeners James Brusche and Gary Stephens, to ensure that this tournament is not only going to happen but to have that sort of impression that is indelible on our young people that allows not only in terms of sports development but total development that they can also allow for as much as sports to be part of what they do. It is distinctly linked to their academics and how they are going to be develop as an individual.”

From left Coordinator Ms. Dawn McCammon Barker, Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon and Education Official Samuel Griffith.

Mayor Solomon added, “It is important to note that all schools, not only secondary schools but also the technical institution and private school are part of this competition. All senior players within our region will be given the opportunity to play in this competition that is one of the features that we asked the organizers include….Those were some of the conditions that we distinctly highlighted. To incorporate as much schools, we incorporate as much constituencies, we see how best we can move the tournament around to different facilities and I am very encouraged and impressed that they have taken up those sorts of suggestions and advice.”

Education official Samuel Griffith in his remarks noted: “We advise the organisers to include a clause that speaks to players understanding that their athletics or sports skills must tie in with their academic skills, because ever-so often we see a case where we have young talented Lindeners who can play well, but when it comes to representing themselves in the academics they fall short. And when they receive a scholarship that’s when we get the issues of them fulfilling their dreams because in the international scene if you can’t tie athletics and academics your dreams would fall short. Central Government is also touting and giving lots of support to through the Ministry of Education as well as the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports because we want to by 2030 Guyana could produce teams that could go and represent Guyana and we need to move away from you having to go overseas and then come back and represent Guyana. Let us start harnessing our efforts here.”

Coordinator Ms. Dawn McCammon Barker said, “The venture is a collaborative effort between the DOE Region 10, Linden Mayor and Town Council, Brusches Basketball Foundation and the Kings Basketball Club. The tournament is being played from Friday September 8 to Friday October 6, 2023 and will be played at the Retrieve, Amelia’s Ward and New Silvercity Hard Courts.

The schools identified are Christianburg Wismar Secondary, Wisburg Secondary, New Silvercity Secondary, Harmony Secondary, Linden Technical Institute, Linden Foundation Secondary, Marcia Craig Educational Institute, Kwakwani Secondary and Mackenzie High School.”

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Christianburg Wismar Secondary, Harmony Secondary, Linden Foundation Secondary, Linden Technical Institute, New Silvercity Secondary, Wisburg Secondary

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