Defending champions Campion College and St George’s College drew first blood in the semi-final round of the ISSA Urban Under-19 schoolboy basketball competition on Tuesday, both recording important victories over their opponents.
In the best-of-three series, Campion, playing at home, maintained their unbeaten record this season with a solid 65-51 win over Camperdown, while St George’s College pulled off a major upset by shocking previously unbeaten Jamaica College 70-66 on the road. Both winners are now one game away from advancing to the finals.
Against Camperdown, Campion were led by an outstanding all-round performance from Zachary Lawrence Smith, who poured in 26 points, pulled down 14 rebounds and added five steals. Rhyeem Martell provided strong support with 14 points and nine rebounds. For Camperdown, Kimani Halliday topped the scoring with 19 points, while Hero Leconte chipped in with nine points and an impressive 15 rebounds.
Despite taking a 1-0 lead heading into Friday’s second game away, Campion head coach Ryan Martell remains cautious.
“This is only one game, and we need to win two games to advance to the finals. We are not taking anything for granted, as Camperdown are a good team and, playing at home, we cannot underestimate them,” said Martell.
Camperdown coach Oneil Brown, though disappointed with the opening loss, is confident his team can respond.
“We started very slowly in the first quarter and that killed us. That game is now behind us and, playing at home, I am very confident that we can win and draw level. Campion are the defending champions and are unbeaten, but for the past four years they have not beaten us at home, and we have not lost a home game all season. We are confident of victory, and then we will see what happens in the third game at their home court,” stated Brown.
In what proved to be a major upset, the Clifford Brown-coached St George’s College team silenced the Jamaica College home crowd with a gritty four-point victory. Imani Salmon was outstanding with 26 points and 20 rebounds, while Jhamol Dixon added 13 points and nine rebounds. For Jamaica College, Oritselatosan Ikolo led the way with 28 points and 14 rebounds.
A delighted Clifford Brown praised his team’s effort after the win.
“Jamaica College players were bragging before the match as they were unbeaten all season, but my players were determined despite losing earlier in the preliminary round. Our guys started well and kept their composure throughout the game for a good win. Playing at home on Friday, we must make our home advantage count, as we do not want to go into a third-game decider, where they would regain the home-court advantage,” said Brown.
Jamaica College coach Duane Cunningham was naturally disappointed with his team’s first loss of the season.
“I am very disappointed with the loss, as our team did not show up, and looked very flat from the start. We fell behind in the first quarter and just could not recover. St George’s wanted it more than us, and we will just have to rebound and ensure we force a third game back at home,” commented Cunningham.
Action continues today with the second set of matches in the under-16 semi-finals, where Jamaica College and St George’s College will be seeking second wins to book their places in the finals. Matches will tip off at 3 p.m., with Wolmer’s Boys’ at home to St George’s College and Jamaica College hosting Campion.
In Monday’s Under-16 openers, Jamaica College edged Campion 69-67 away from home, while St George’s College defeated Wolmer’s Boys’ 80-72 at home.
