By Kiev Chesney
Veteran point guard Shelroy Thomas imposed his will during the final minute of the game to claim a 40-38 points win for his Kwakwani side against Mackenzie High School (MHS) in a match of the National Sports Commission/Pepsi National Schools’ Basketball Festival yesterday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Having led his team the all the way in last year’s championships, Thomas’ s experience helped him propel his team during the final 55 seconds as they overcame a three-point deficit and went on to win by two.
Thomas added a game-high of 17 points to his superior leadership role for the defending champions whose cohesiveness helped them to withstand a late onslaught from Akeem Kanhai who registered 13 points for MHS.
Kanhai switched on late to drill two consecutive three point daggers to put his team up by three entering the final minute.
MHS was sustained by their dynamic forward Omar Sam and Sheldron Noel who each contributed seven points.
Kanhai will be looking to avenge yesterday’s loss in the prelims with a victory in the quarter-finals against the same team later today.
Meanwhile, Bishops’ High defeated Tutorial High 47-41 to earn their spot in today’s semi-finals when they will face Christianburg Wismar Secondary who they lost to in their first encounter.
Bishops’ success was marked by outstanding play at point guard from Yannick Dundas who scored 14 points and much need aggression and fearless play at the small forward position from Sean Lashley who had a game high of 21 points.
Tutorial’s junior national forward Michael Thompson heated up late to add 21 points in his team’s losing effort.
Officiating seemed to help Bishops’ cause as many questionable calls went against Tutorial’s forward Tyrone Hamid who scored 17 points but got no attention from the referees when he was blatantly fouled at critical moments in the game.
Hamid, who recently left the Pacesetter to play for the Ravens stormed off the court towards the exit before the end of the game and was given his second technical foul by the officials who, incidentally, are his former assistant coach Denis Clarke and ex-teammate Naylon Loncke.
In another match Plasaince, led by 19 points from Shagola Bentick and 14 points from Leon Daniels, defeated St. John’s College 44-34.
Keiron Boyce and Keith Blackman added 11 points a piece in their final effort as St. John’s were eliminated with that defeat.
