Debutant Aroaima romped to the U18 championship while President’s College and Kwakwani copped the U16 and Girls division titles when the ExxonMobil National School Basketball Festival (NSBF) concluded yesterday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue.
Aroaima dismantled defending champion President’s College 103-52. The lopsided contest was essentially over at halftime as the newcomers romped to a 59-19 lead.
Aroaima, who sealed their berth in the championship match following wins over six-time champion Kwakwani and five-time winners Linden Technical Institute, was led by a double-double of 37 points and 14 rebounds from Kasim English.
Kemol Grimmond, a national 3 x 3 Caribbean Games Bronze Medalist and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the finals, supported with 28 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. He also copped the Most Assists award.
Adi Donald contributed 19 points while division MVP and Best Scorer, Kelon Phillips, netted 14 points. For the losers, Kemol Mentore amassed 24 points and 13 rebounds while U16 MVP Grant added 10 points and 11 rebounds.
In the U16 final, President’s College downed Kid-Rock Academy 65-54 after leading 24-21 at the halftime break. DeJaun Grant, who walked away with the MVP, Best Scorer, and Standout Player accolades, was the primary threat with 26 points and six rebounds. The next best scorer with 16 points and five rebounds was Aiden Semple while Abeil Ward added seven points and 17 rebounds. On the other side, Elisah Robertson registered 18 points, five steals and four rebounds while Stephen George registered nine points and as many rebounds.
In the Girl’s division final, Kwakwani crushed Queen’s College 46-17. The fixture was essentially over at the halftime interval, as Kwakwani led by a 27-4 scoreline. Shania Sears, eventual MVP and Best Scorer of the section, led the rout with a double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds.
Supporting with a double-double of 10 points, 11 steals and nine rebounds was Natalya Clarke, who copped the Best Defender and Most Assists awards. For the losers, Cianna Barkoye tallied six points and nine rebounds.
Meanwhile, in the special award section, Christ Church was adjudged the Best Emerging Team, whilst President’s College received the Best Fan Support and Team Sportsmanship awards. The Bishops’ High received the Best Uniformed Team title.
On the individual side, Ronoko Vaughn of President’s College received the Individual Sportsmanship and Senior Class awards, whilst Kassidy Woolford of GT Academy, and Demitri Rankin of Christ Church copped the Standout Players accolade. Willon Cameron of President’s College was adjudged the Best Coach.
The other major sponsors of the event were the National Sports Commission, G-Boat Guyana, Edward B. Beharry & Company Ltd, and Banks DIH Ltd.
