Ardenne in semis of ISSA/KFC Schools Basketball play-offs
Ardenne High became the first semi-finalists in both the senior and junior ISSA/KFC National Schools Basketball competitions after victories over Ocho Rios High and York Castle, respectively, at the National Stadium courts yesterday.
The senior team clobbered Ocho Rios 106-22, while the juniors were 51-24 winners against York Castle.
Dimitri Gage led the Under-19’s with a game-high 35 points and nine steals and good support came from Stephen Cole with 14 points and seven steals.
Rashine Hamil was Ocho Rios’ topscorer with eight points.
The Southern Conference champs were devastating from the opening period, posting a 29-4 lead before going on to 46-10 lead at half-time.
The Basil Barrett-coached team continued their assault after the break, winning the third quarter 23-6 and the fourth 37-6 for an easy win.
In the day’s other Under-19 game, Hydel with 17 points and 15 rebounds from Roshane Ingram and 16 points and 10 rebounds from Dale Reynolds steered their way to a 65-52 win over Old Harbour High. Shannoy Campbell also contributed 12 points to the cause.
Old Harbour’s Mikhail Robinson had a game-high 20 points and Keneil Allen contributed 19 points and eight rebounds.
Old Harbour stayed close for most of the game, trailing 11-16 after the first quarter, 24-30 at half, and by just two (38-40) at the end of the third.
But the Paul Oliphant-coached boys stepped up their play to win the final quarter 25-14, for a comfortable victory in the end.
Meanwhile, in the Under-16 contest, Martin Gentles and Warren Honeywell led the way for Ardenne in their win over York Castle, with 15 points and 11 rebounds and seven points with seven rebounds, respectively.
Antonio Daniels scored nine points and eight rebounds for York Castle.
In the other game, Campion College had to stave off a strong challenge from Old Harbour to claim a 51-48 win.
Jonathan Mitchell bagged a game-high 18 points for the winners with Chad Wilson lending good support with 12 points.
Bryan Richards led Old Harbour with 16 points, followed by Okeita Nicholson with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The remaining semi-finalists will decided when the final set of games are played on Thursday.
In the western end of the island, Herbert Morrison earned victory over Jamaica College in the Under-16 competition without tipping a ball after the Kingston-based team arrived without their identification cards. The Under-19 game between Herbert Morrison and St George’s College will be played today.