Manchester High’s coach, Damon Sullivan, said since the switch from conference to urban and rural schoolboys basketball three years ago, his school has advanced to the finals all three years, highlighting the high expectations of the team, who notched a win in their best-of-three rural under-19 semi-final series on Wednesday.
Defending champions Manchester High are once again on the brink of silverware after dismantling Herbert Morrison Technical High (HMTHS) 71-35 at home to seal a 2-0 series sweep.
“HMTHS were playing at home, so I expected a stronger push from them. Their final tally is similar to what they scored in the first game. I think they scored five more points today, but we had enough height to take control of the game,” Sullivan pointed out.
The emphatic victory sets up a highly anticipated finals showdown against Holmwood Technical High, who got past Knox College. It will be Holmwood’s first finals appearance after they won the series 2-0 and advanced following a 100-70 victory in Game Two.
The reigning champions showcased their dominance on both ends of the court, with standout player Shavar Bogle pouring in 25 points, along with three rebounds, six assists and four steals to lead the charge. Samuel Smith, who had a double double, chipped in with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Herbert Morrison’s Ryan Jurdine scored 11 points and three rebounds, while Manish Brown added six points, seven rebounds, and five steals.
In a one-sided game, Manchester came out strong in the first quarter to take a 21-12 lead. They extended the lead in the second quarter 15-3 to finish the first half 36-15 half. In the third quarter there was no coming back for HMTHS, with Manchester going on a 22-6 run. HMTHS outscored Manchester 14-13 in fourth quarter, but it was already over.
Despite the heavy defeat, Herbert Morrison’s head coach, Levar Rose, praised his players’ effort and resilience throughout the series.
“It was a well-played series, and the players showed character and heart,” Rose noted.
“Manchester are tough opponents who just overpowered us. You win some, you lose some, but it was just too much firepower to handle. We will bounce back and, hopefully, look forward to the all-island if we finish in the top three,” added Rose.
Meanwhile, in the other semi-final, Holmwood’s Melvin Ragoo scored 21 points and Denrick Jenkins 18. Knox’s Tajay Leslie put up a whopping 49 points, and Marc Anthony- Bennett scored 12.
In the under-16 semi-finals, Shamar Russell’s registered a double-double, 21 points, and 10 rebounds to help HMTHS demolish York Castle High 107-53 to march into the finals.
After York Castle outscored HMTHS 18-13 in the first quarter, the latter roared back in the other three quarters – second quarter 33-18, third, 41-6, and 20-11 in the fourth.
HMTHS will face Manchester with the rural zone finals set on Monday, February 23.
