By Akeem Greene
There were no surprises as to who emerged best-of-the-best at the annual Woodpecker Products Junior National Squash Championships, which concluded on Saturday evening at Georgetown Club Courts, Camp Street.
Leading the way were the indomitable Shomari Wiltshire winning both the Under-17 and U-19 titles, while Abosaide Cadogan did the identical in the girls’ division.
Louis DaSilva and Tiana Gomes were voted the most improved players.
On the final day of the week-long tournament, Wiltshire did not have to break a sweat for his final match due to Samuel Ince-Carvalhal pulling because of an injury. Wiltshire had defeated Nicholas Verwey 11-4, 11-3, 11-3 earlier in the day.
Cadogan, on the other hand, had to pull out the stops in her battle with Kirsten Gomes. Though she won 11-5, 11-9, 11-3, Gomes pushed her to the limit, but fitness and experience was in her favour. Earlier, she defeated Taija Edwards 11-2, 11-0, 11-0.
Speaking to News Room Sport, Wiltshire and Cadogan expressed it was a testing tournament and attention now turns to the Junior Caribbean championships, billed for Trinidad in July.
Defending Under-17 champion Wiltshire said he saw areas needed for improvement and will be quickly working to address those.
With the likes of Taylor Fernandes now in the realm of senior players, lots will rest on Cadogan’s shoulders, a pressure said she is confident of overcoming.
Alphonso, Verwey thrill again
The final Boys Under-15 match pitted Michael Alphonso with rival Nicholas Verwey. Their previous head-to-head clash produced a nail-biting encounter with the former coming out on top.
From the warm-up routine, it was evident both players were keenly looking forward to the battle. Parents attempted to get both settled, but the enthusiasm was too explosive and evident from the first serve.
The hallmark of Alphonso’s game is to play to the corners well, something that Verwey still has not adapted. However, he produced his fine moments of finesse, but with ever cheeky shot Alphonso retrieved well and returned better.
The difference was who kept the composure under pressure and Alphonso won crucial set points to win the match 11-6, 11-6, 11-4.
Under-13 champion Mohryan Baksh, who played a whopping 10 matches during the competition, got third in the Under-15 category when he defeated Demetrius DeAbreu 11-8, 9-11, 11-9, 11-3.
Cousins Beau and Christiana Fernandes produced a good show for the Girls Under-13 title. It was younger Christiana who meant business as she displayed her improved game in each set.
Despite the power shots from Beau, Christiana conceded only one game to secure a 3-1 triumph.
Final placements:
Boys Under-19 & 17
Winner – Shomari Wiltshire
Second – Michael Alphonso
Third- Nicholas Verwey
Fourth – Samuel Ince-Carvalhal
Boys Under-15
Winner – Michael Alphonso
Second – Nicholas Verwey
Third – Mohryan Baksh
Fourth Place – Demetrius DeAbreu
Boys Under-13
Winner – Mohryan Baksh
Second – Louis DaSilva
Third – Shiloh Asregado
Fourth – Joshua Verwey
Fifth – Dhiren Persaud
Boys Under-11
Winner – Grant Fernandes
Second – Brenno DaSilva
Girls Under-19 & 17
Winner – Abosaide Cadogan
Second – Kirsten Gomes
Third – Teija Edwards
Girls Under-15
Winner – Kirsten Gomes
Second – Ashani Persaud
Third – Beau Fernandes
Girls Under-13
Winner- Beau Fernandes
Second – Christiana Fernandes
Third – Safirah Sumner
Girls Under-11
Winner – Christiana Fernandes
Second – Tiana Gomes
Third – Shriyah Persaud
