Linden Secondary Schools U-19 semifinals on this afternoon

Jun 27, 2013 Sports

‘Multi’ face defending champs LTI, Linden Foundation collide with Wisburg

This year’s prolonged Linden Secondary Schools Under-19 Basketball Championships, which began in April, will come to an end with the final and third place playoff games Monday.  However, this afternoon, the semifinals are taking place, weather permitting, at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court; where in the first game at 2:30 pm the top ranked Christianburg Wismar Secondary ‘Multi’ are to face the fourth seed and the 2012 champions Linden Technical Institute, while at 4:00 pm the second seed Wisburg Secondary take on third ranked Linden Foundation Secondary.
The tournament, which is organized by the Linden Amateur Basketball Association, will see the unbeaten Christianburg Wismar Secondary ‘Multi’ side looking to remain that way as they move into this knockout stage of the championship.  They easily beat New Silvercity Secondary 61-36 in the final game of the preliminary round on Monday afternoon as Terron Welch had a game high 20 points.  They will depend heavily on their top players Travin Dryden, Welch and the high flying Edmar Semple in today’s match.
The question however is whether the ‘Multi’ side will continue their unbeaten run or will they fall prey to the defending champions who are after their second title.
The other semifinal will see Wisburg face an opponent who defeated them in the earlier round robin play and this could be a stern test coming from semifinal opponent Linden Foundation Secondary.
On the other hand, Wisburg are looking to avenge their surprise loss to the Linden Foundation Secondary and must prove that they are worthy of contesting this year’s final for the first time, playing their most impressive ever.
On Tuesday also, New Silvercity Secondary won against Mackenzie High 63-41 but still ended up not qualifying for the semifinals due to their loss against Linden Technical Institute who reached the final four after being tied with New Silvercity Secondary on points, but advanced because they had beaten the New Silvercity Secondary 29-25 in the preliminary round of the championship.
Several trophies and replicas are at stake in this championship which has attracted sponsors from overseas and at home and these include Linden Alphonso, Maxie Stephens, Two Brothers Gas Station and the Haynes Foundation.