‘Herbert’ book U-19 date with Ardenne
MONTEGO BAY, St James — Herbert Morrison High booked a date with Ardenne in next Tuesday’s ISSA/KFC all-island basketball final after defeating Hydel, 52-45, in a semi-final match at Montego Bay Cricket Club yesterday.
The Western Conference champions, who will be making consecutive appearances in the decider, led by as many as 12 points midway the fourth quarter before allowing Hydel back in the game and setting up a tense final three minutes.
Despite missing a spate of free throws, Hydel came as close as four points, but two free throws with a minute and 11 seconds to go by Jervis Hamilton — who led Herbert Morrison with 18 points — and a three-pointer with 20 seconds to go by Jamoi Richards, sealed the deal for the Dave Black-coached St James school.
Herbert Morrison, who will take a season-long unbeaten record into Tuesday’s final at the National Stadium Courts, led 15-11 after the first quarter and 30-26 at half-time.
They maintained their edge, 39-33, after the third quarter and managed to hold off Hydel in the fourth, despite having four players on four fouls apiece for most of that period.
Herbert Morrison created some space early in the third period, going on a 6-0 run for a 10-point lead, but Hydel responded with a 5-0 run of their own.
Herbert held the biggest lead, 45-33, with five minutes to go in the fourth, but Nico Campbell picked up an injury and was forced off the court and Hydel used the opportunity to close the gap to four points (47-43) with two minutes to go.
But that was as close as they would get as the winners picked up the defensive intensity at one end, while Hamilton and Richards got the vital five points at the other.
Hamilton also had 24 rebounds to go with his 18 points; Richards scored 15 points, while Kedar Clarke scored eight points and pulled 16 rebounds.
Keneil Allen had a game-high 23 points and nine rebounds to lead Hydel, while Mikhail Robinson was the other player to get into double figures with 15 points.