Ardenne, Herbert in U-19 showdown
THE ISSA/KFC National Schools basketball titles will be decided at the National Stadium Courts this afternoon, with last season’s beaten finalists Herbert Morrison High facing many-time winners Ardenne in the feature Under-19 match at 4:30.
In the Under-16 decider, last season’s finalists St George’s College face Central Zone winners Knox College at 2:30.
Since the inception of the play-offs, Herbert Morrison became the first
team from the west to make the final
last season.
This year, they are looking to go all the way and become the first school from the region to win the coveted all-island title, and coach Dave Black believes they are a stronger unit this season.
“We know Ardenne is a good team, so we will have to be aggressive defensively, but this season the team chemistry was way better than last season,” he reasoned.
He said once the team plays strong defence, he is confident that victory will be theirs.
“Herbert Morrison is going into the game looking for nothing less than a win.. and from our end, defence will be the key
“… This is our second time to the final and winning it for the first time would be an outstanding accomplishment for the team,” he added.
Black’s team will look to the impressive Jervis Hamilton, Jamoi Richards, three-point shooter Kedar Clarke and Nico Campbell to carry them through.
Ardenne’s coach Basil Barrett acknowledged that Herbert Morrison has proven to be main title contenders this year, but warned his team is up for the challenge.
“The players are upbeat and ready to go because we have an idea of how the Herbert Morrison team plays, so we’re going to go out and do the things that we have to,” he said.
“… This will be a good, competitive game and Ardenne is ready,” he added.
Barret believed despite losing some key players from last season, the team is much better prepared that last year.
“We’ve worked on the defence… and we have a strong offensive team… we’ve strenghtened certain aspects compared to last year, so we’ll definitely win this game,” he declared.
Barrett noted that when they lost to Herbert Morrison in the semi-finals last season, it was in Montego Bay and now he’s looking some payback as they travel to Kingston for this contest.
“When they played in MoBay they ruled down there with all their backing, but at the Stadium it’s a whole different ball game,” he said.
The Urban Area side will pin their hopes on Dimitry Gage, David Gardener, Mario Williams Stephen Silvera and Sage Kamicka.
Meanwhile in the Junior final, St George’s will be banking on the likes of Javed Habib, Shavier Francis,
Aziza Taylor, Rasheed Andrews and Shaun Graham.
Surprise finalists Knox, meanwhile, will look to Michael Johnson, Michael Burrell, Kristoff Chin and Alwayne Smith for victory.