Kwakwani Secondary, President’s College and Aroaima Secondary at the weekend emerged champions of the ExxonMobil sponsored National Schools Basketball Festival at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
In the Girls final, Kwakwani produced a commanding 46-17 victory over Queen’s College, while President’s College emerged with a 65-54 win in the Boys Under-16 final against KidRock Academy and Aroaima trounced President’s College 103-52.
On the female side, Kwakwani stormed to a 27-4 lead by half-time and the girls never looked back, dominating the second half as well 19-13.
Shania Sears had a game-high 26 points and 10 rebounds and Natalya Clarke had 10 points, nine rebounds and 11 steals. Cianna Barkoye scored six points and nine rebounds for Queen’s College.
Sears took home the Most Valuable Player and Best Scorer awards, while Clarke was named Best Defender and the player with the Most Assists.
In the Boys Under-16 final championship game, DeJaun Grant led President’s College to victory with 26 points and six rebounds, Aiden Semple scored 16 points and five rebounds and Abeil Ward had seven points and 17 rebounds.
Scoring for KidRock Academy, Elisah Robertson had 18 points, four rebounds and five steals, while Stephen George had nine points and nine rebounds.
Grant was named Most Valuable Player, Best Scorer and Standout Player.
In the Boys Under-18 final, Aroaima totally commanded the contest, surging to a 59-19 lead by half-time and then closing out the game against President’s College, the senior defending champions.
Impressively, Aroaima also defeated six-time champions Kwakwani and five-time champions Linden Technical Institute on their way to a maiden title.
Kasim English the way with 37 points and 14 rebounds, while national 3×3 Caribbean Games bronze medallist Kemol Grimmond scored 28 points, eight assists and 15 rebounds, Adi Donald scored 19 points and Kelon Phillips 14.
For President’s College, Kemol Mentore scored 24 points, 13 rebounds, while DeJaun Grant had 10 points 11 rebounds.
Kellon Phillips won the Most Valuable Player and Best Scorer awards, while Grimmond won the finals MVP and Most Assists awards.
Other Awards (Special)
Best Emerging Team- Christ Church Secondary
Best Uniform Team- The Bishops’ High School
Best Fan Support- President’s College
Sportsmanship Team- President’s College
Sportsmanship Individual- Ronoko Vaughn (PC)
Senior Class- Ronoko Vaughn (PC)
Standout Players- Kassidy Woolford (GT Academy Girls), DeJaun Grant (PC U-16), and Demitri Rankin (Christ Church U-18)
Best Coach- Willon Cameron, President’s College
ExxonMobil Guyana was the major sponsor of this year’s tournament with support also coming from the National Sports Commission, G-Boat Guyana, Edward B. Beharry and Company Limited and Banks DIH Limited.
