Wed, Jul 15, 2026
Wed, Jul 15, 2026
Junior CASA: Guyana out of gold medal contention in team championship
Guyana’s quest for the coveted Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championships team title ended on Friday evening, as their boys’ team fell short in the semi-finals against Barbados at the Tortola Sports Club.
The girls’ team had already been eliminated from the main draw and will now vie for fifth place against St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, the boys will battle the British Virgin Islands for the bronze medal in the afternoon.
Deja vu struck for Guyana in the boys’ semi-final, with U-19 champion Nicholas Verwey falling to Alex Stewart, the same opponent he dominated in the individual finals. Stewart exacted revenge with an 11-9, 11-5, 11-9 victory.
However, there were bright spots for Guyana. Michael Alphonso Jr. performed well, defeating Aidan Paris 11-6, 11-7, 11-1.
Additionally, an injured Ethan Bulkan stepped up in the U-13 match against Ethan Cyrus, securing an 11-8, 11-1, 11-9 win despite sustaining an injury during the individual segment.
Bulkan filled in for his brother Egan, who rolled his ankle earlier in the competition.
Unfortunately, defeats for Zion Hickerson (U-11) and Justin Gobderdan (U-15) sealed Guyana’s fate.
Hickerson fell to Finn Graham (8-11, 10-12, 8-11), while Gobderdan was overpowered by Daniel Sealey (4-11, 5-11, 3-11).
Shiloh Asregado (U-17) provided a valiant effort against Barbados’ Ben Shepherd (third place in U-15) but ultimately fell 11-7, 6-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-8 in a thrilling match.
This defeat eliminates Guyana from gold medal contention in the team championships, with Barbados heavily favored to retain the overall title.
FULL RESULTS: https://sportyhq.com/tournament/view/2024-Junior-Caribbean-Championships-TEAMS