Wolmer’s Boys’ School are ISSA Urban Under-16 schoolboy basketball champions, while the Under-19 champions will be decided in a Game Three following action at St George’s College yesterday.
Led by a strong all-round performance from Alexander Richardson, who finished with a game-high 18 points, eight rebounds, and seven steals, the Howard Harvey-coached team from Heroes Circle came from behind to score a convincing 65-50 win over Jamaica College (JC).
Alex Farquharson chipped in with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Justin Wright added 12 points in support of Richardson.
Down 0-1 after losing their first game to Wolmer’s last Friday, the Duane Cunningham-coached Jamaica College team came out more positively as they rushed into a 14-7 first-quarter lead.
However, the champions found their rhythm in the second quarter, outscoring their opponents 18-12 as Jamaica College held a slender 26-25 lead at the halftime break.
A fired-up Wolmer’s team produced an impressive third quarter, outscoring their opponents 22-10 to take a 47-36 lead going into the final quarter. Wolmer’s maintained their momentum in the closing stages, adding 18 points to their opponents’ 14 to secure a comprehensive 15-point win, blanking JC 2-0 in the best-of-three series.
In the under-19 finals, the Ryan Martell-coached Campion College stayed alive in hopes of retaining their title, forcing a third and decisive game to be played on their home court after a workmanlike performance.
The defending champions were off to a fast start, taking the game to St George’s College, leading 24-12 by the end of the first quarter. The home team, however, rallied in the second quarter, outscoring Campion 23-15.
But the defending champions still led 39-35 at the halftime break.
Bent on forcing a Game Three at home, Campion maintained their dominance in the third quarter, outscoring (STGC) 20-12 to take a healthy 12-point lead going into the final quarter at 59-47.
While STGC outscored Campion 18-17 in the final quarter, it was not enough as the defending champions secured a decisive win and a Game-Three decider at home on Friday.
Zachary Lawrence-Smith top-scored with 24 points for Campion, while teammate Ryeem Martell added 15 points and 13 rebounds. Imani Salmon led the losers with 24 points, while Jonathon Forbes contributed 13.
