Barbados Today

Queen’s College and Graydon Sealy have both given themselves a shot to complete the Co-operators General Insurance Schools Under-16 Basketball double.

On Monday Queen’s College gained entry into the knockout final against Harrison College A and this afternoon in the league semifinal playing against the same opponents, the Husbands, St James school registered a 69-61 victory at the Barbados Community College to set up a date with destiny.  

Credit, though, to Harrison College who won both the knockout and league titles last year for giving it their best shot with both their A and B teams reaching as far as the semifinals this toss. 

In the opening encounter today, the B team was once again out done 71-59 by Graydon Sealy who will meet Queen’s College in both finals scheduled for next week. 

Queen’s College continued their unbeaten form and ended the opening quarter ahead 15-13, Harrison College responded in the second stanza to lead 29-28 and the scores were tied 47-47 after three periods that made for an interesting fourth and decisive quarter. 

At the commencement of the final stanza, Deshawn Hinkson of Queen’s College received a pass and made a two point shot which was exactly what the doctor ordered to take a 49-47 lead.

Nathan Inniss of Harrison College was fouled resulting in two free throws, one of which he converted. Inniss followed up with a steal, and a pass to teammate Justin Bradley for a layup to give his team a one-point lead at 50-49. 

Queen’s College stuck to the game plan and scored eight straight points thanks to a collective effort from Godfrey July who top scored with 17, Deshawn Hinkson, 15, Nicholas Grimes 14 and Nathan Moore 13 as they surge ahead 57-50 to put some daylight on the scoreboard between themselves and Harrison College.

It was there that the momentum went fully in favour of Queen’s College who were brilliant in their execution of passes and lovely finishing at the basket. The fact that Harrison College guard Kenyon Connell fouled out did not help their chances either.

Kyrone Alexander scored a game-high 20 points, while Simeon Maynard and Nathan Inniss both accounted for a total of 11 each. Those three consistently found the offensive backboard even though the big fellow Grimes was a major factor on defence for Queen’s College.

In the other semifinal clash, Graydon Sealy whose players were taller, faster and more skillful, commanded the first three quarters 24-10, 41-25 and 59-37 to secure their place at the expense of the Harrison College B team.

Graydon Sealy’s star shooter Ronaldo Simmons took charge with a game high 26 points, Christopher Harewood had 15 and Tyreke Harewood registered ten. At various points in the game Graydon Sealy led by at least 16 points and in the third quarter a blow-out was predicted and it came to pass.

Joshua Codrington netted 24 for Harrison College with a contribution of 11 each from Azariah Burgess and Nathan Walters.

The knockout final will take place Monday June 26 followed by the league final on Wednesday June 28 at the Barbados Community College.