KFC School Basketball: President’s College, Hururu Secondary, and St. Rose’s High claim championship glory

The curtains came down on the 19th KFC National School Basketball Festival on Sunday at the National Gymnasium, bringing an exciting and historic tournament to a thrilling close.

In a historic shift for school basketball in Guyana, powerhouse Kwakwani did not contest a single championship final for the first time in the competition’s history.

Instead, the tournament heralded a massive wave of regional growth.

Region Six schools made a major statement by featuring in two of the four finals, with Skeldon Line Path Secondary and Berbice High School finishing as runners-up in their respective divisions.

Region Six also dominated the individual accolades, with JC Chandisingh Secondary earning the Best Emerging School award, Berbice High’s Jason Gladstone receiving the Coach of the Year, and Conference Coordinator Stefan Peters receiving the Leadership Award.

The tournament also saw spirited participation from Regions Two and Nine, reinforcing Youth Basketball Guyana’s (YBG) commitment to developing talent nationwide.

Under-14 Boys: Hururu Secondary crowns themselves champions

The tournament’s two best Under-14 teams, Hururu Secondary and Skeldon Line Path Secondary, put Guyana’s promising basketball nursery on full display. Both sides showcased tremendous skill and passion, but it was Hururu Secondary who prevailed with a convincing 45-31 victory, securing their maiden championship title.

Crandon Beckles led the charge with a monster double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds to rightfully claim the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, while teammate Roy Corbis supported with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Kellon Light fought hard for Skeldon Line Path with 9 points and 10 rebounds.

Girls Final: President’s College edge debutants Hururu in a thriller

After six previous heartbreaks, President’s College finally captured its first-ever Girls Championship. Facing tournament debutants Hururu Secondary, the experienced PC squad was pushed to the absolute limit in a dramatic, low-scoring affair.

President’s College held their nerve to secure a nerve-wracking 18-17 victory. MVP Sarah Williams and Christy Sears netted 5 points apiece, while Pauline Flatts added 4 points and 4 rebounds.

Hururu’s Decia Phillips stood standout in the fight with 7 points and 9 rebounds. The gripping finale highlighted a bright future and a true resurgence for girls’ high school basketball in Guyana.

Under-16 Boys: St. Rose’s High shock Berbice High in overtime epic

Spectators were treated to an absolute classic in the Under-16 final as St. Rose’s High School defeated tournament favourites Berbice High School in a thrilling overtime battle. St. Rose’s dug deep to earn a hard-fought 50-46 victory to capture the crown. Nathan Williams delivered a masterclass performance, racking up 23 points and 14 rebounds to claim the MVP award.

He was supported by Shaquan Callendar (10 points) and Christian Williams (7 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals). Avion Kesney (15 points), Shimron Jafar (11 points), and Carlson Mattheson (9 points, 16 rebounds) spearheaded the Berbice High effort.

Under-18 Boys: President’s College dominate Queen’s College to secure premier status

President’s College further cemented its status as the country’s premier school basketball programme with a dominant 47-25 victory over Queen’s College in the Under-18 Boys final. PC controlled the tempo from the jump, led by an MVP performance from Mattaniah Fordyce, who dominated the glass with 11 points and 16 rebounds.

Dontrell Ross top-scored with 14 points, while Romario Wolfe chipped in 11 points. Darren Dublin (7 points, 7 rebounds) and Deshawn Gurrick (6 points) were the main contributors for Queen’s College in the runner-up effort.

The successful 19th edition of the National School Basketball Festival was made possible through the proud sponsorship of KFC, Edward B. Beharry & Co. Ltd., G-Boats Inc., the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and the Ministry of Education. (Press Release)