Kwakwani Secondary clinched the Boy’s and Girl’s National School Basketball Festival (NSBF) U18 Championships, following hard-fought victories on Sunday evening at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.
In the Boy’s divisional final, Kwakwani defeated President’s College 71-68 to capture their seventh championship. Kelon Phillips amassed 32 points, and five rebounds, whilst Kasim English accumulated 27 points, six rebounds, and as many steals.
For President’s College, who were in their third consecutive final’s appearance, Ezekiel Saul recorded the first triple-double in the history of the final with figures of 16 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 steals. Meanwhile, Judah Ferreira netted 19 points, with Alvin DeFreitas tallying a double-double of 14 points and 15 rebounds.
Similarly, defending champion Kwakwani downed President’s College 37-31 to secure their fifth title in the Girl’s U18 final.
Sherel Leacock top scored with 14 points, nine rebounds, and six steals, whilst Deandra Hodge added 13 points and four rebounds. Supporting with six points, nine steals, eight rebounds, and four assists was Malia Samuels.
For the loser, Akeelah Campbell recorded 13 points, seven rebounds, and six steals, whilst Krizel Wells chipped in with seven points and four rebounds and Chrisleyann Richards added five points and four steals.
The respective victors were presented with their championship trophies and medals, whilst the runners-up pocketed the corresponding accolades.
In the individual section of the awards, English of Kwakwani was adjudged Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the Boy’s section, whilst teammate Phillips copped the Best Scorer trophy. Similarly, Alafin Joseph of St. Stanislaus College and Jamol Semple of Linden Technical Institute walked away with the Best Defender and Most Assists accolades respectively.
In the Girl’s division, Samuels copped the MVP and Best Defender accolades, whilst teammates Leshana Mohamed and Leacock clinched the Best Scorer and Most Assists titles respectively.
In the Special Awards section, Queen’s College received the Best Emerging Team award, whilst President’s College received the Best School Support accolade.
The President’s College female unit also received the Most Improved Team award.
Similarly, the trio of President’s College, Kwakwani and the Bishops’ High was jointly awarded the Best Programme accolade, whilst the Bishops’ High walked away with the Team Sportsmanship award.
Skeldon Line Path’s Rondel Holder copped the Leadership Award, Shawn Ally of Camile’s Institute received the Individual Sportsmanship accolade.
Also, Willon Cameron of President’s College was adjudged the Coach of the Year, whilst Ann Gordon of Kwakwani received a Lifetime Award for his contributions to the discipline.
