Under-16 basketball semi-finals take spotlight

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Defending champions Ardenne High will meet Kingston College (KC) in today's feature semi-final clash in the Inter-Secondary Schools Association/ KFC all-island Under-16 schoolboy basketball competition at the National Stadium courts starting at 5 p.m.

In the opening match of the double-header Jamaica College (JC) and St George's College face off in the other semi-final starting at 3 p.m.

Ardenne, who are seeking their third consecutive hold on the trophy, thrashed KC by 27 points in the semi-final of the league competition earlier in the season. However, Basil Barrett, coach of Ardenne, said he is expecting a tougher game from their opponents.

"It won't be an easy game for us because we know that KC will be coming all out to beat us," said Barrett.

Barrett added that their preparations have been going well and his players are feeling pretty confident and ready to defend their title.

"I think that we have the edge over them because we defeated them by 27 points the last time we played them, and I believe that once our boys carry out my instructions, then we should be able to beat them again," said Barrett.

Leading scorer

Ardenne will be depending heavily on their leading scorer Warren Battick and point guards Mario Williams and Steven Silvera, who have played a pivotal role in their team's success so far.

Meanwhile, Andrew Jackson, coach of KC, said his team will be seeking revenge.

"We are confident that we can turn the tables on them because we made a lot of errors in our last game against them but my players learnt from this and are confident that they can defeat Ardenne," said Jackson.

Jackson added: "It is going to be a tough game for us because they are one of the hardest teams to beat in schoolboy basketball competition in the Jamaica."

The North Street-based KC will look to leading scorers Damion Johnson, Romoy Hemmings and Rodane Radcliff to push them to victory.

Meanwhile in the Under-19 semi-finals set for next Tuesday, Herbert Morrison tackle Wolmer's at the Montego Bay Cricket Club and St George's College play Cornwall College at the National Stadium courts.