The Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) showcased its basketball prowess by successfully defending the Schools Basketball Under-19 championship title.
In an exciting final held on Tuesday at the Beausejour Indoor Facility, SALCC triumphed over the Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School (SCSS) with a score of 48-36.
SALCC asserted its dominance throughout the match, maintaining the lead at every quarter. They ended the first quarter with a narrow 13-10 advantage and went into halftime ahead 22-20.
The momentum continued into the third quarter, where SALCC expanded their lead to 34-24, ultimately securing a 12-point victory.
Nyel Joseph was the standout player for SALCC, scoring a game-high 20 points along with three rebounds and four steals. Shayne Edgar contributed significantly with 13 points, 10 rebounds, four steals, and two assists. Additional support came from Romuald Wilson and Mezan Lewis, who added four points each, with Lewis also recording six rebounds, four steals, two assists, and two blocks.
Despite the loss, Curdin Jones from SCSS delivered an impressive performance, achieving a double-double with 26 points and 23 rebounds, alongside five steals and two blocks. Sanchez Felix and Trenton Henry also contributed, with Felix scoring four points and grabbing 10 rebounds, and Henry adding four points and three rebounds.
Both teams faced challenges finding offensive consistency, as SALCC recorded 44 missed field-goal attempts and 19 turnovers, while SCSS tallied 51 missed field goals and 27 turnovers.
In the end, SALCC’s balanced scoring, defensive efforts, and ability to seize critical moments led them to lift the Schools Under-19 Basketball Championship trophy once again.
In a gripping contest during the third-place playoffs, St. Mary’s College (SMC) showcased remarkable resilience to edge past Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School (LHCSS) with a final score of 53-50 in double overtime.
LHCSS initially took control, leading 11-10 at the end of the first quarter and extending their advantage to 25-20 by halftime. They continued to dominate, heading into the final quarter with a 36-31 lead. However, SMC refused to back down, mounting an impressive offensive effort in the fourth quarter to erase the deficit and force a 43-43 tie by the end of regulation time.
As the game moved into overtime, SMC seized the momentum, capitalizing on key baskets and tightening their defense to secure the thrilling comeback victory.