Marian, Kwakwani set up dream rematch

Jul 08, 2013 Sports

Marian Academy and Kwakwani Secondary ensured a dream rematch for the National Schools’ Basketball Festival Under-20 title, following the trend of last year’s final where Kwakwani came out on top at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Kwakwani’s U-20 forward, Leonard Primo (airborne with ball), puts the moves on Travin Dryden in the lane at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall Saturday night in a NSBF semi-final showdown.

Marian made a late run to defeat Plaisance Academy 38-28 Saturday night to advance to the final of the 2013 NSBF, which has Digicel, Beharry Group of Companies and Bank DIH as its main sponsors.
With the game tied at 24-24 and five minutes left in regulation time, Marian went on a 10-4 run that closed out a Plaisance Academy. Marian shut down the tournament’s leading scorer, Nikkoloi Smith on the defensive end and had responded well to Plaisance’s physical basketball in crunch time.
Dominic Vincente had his best offensive performance of the national finals, dropping a game high 12 points while Dale Beresford scored 11 points to help Marian through to the grand final, which was played last night at the indoor venue.
A well-restricted Smith had 10 points, but completely dominated the ‘boards’ with a tournament high 29 rebounds that helped Plaisance out-rebound Marian 45-25 in the game.
The defending champs, Kwakwani Secondary survived a late surge from Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) to win 55-51 and advance to the final where they clashed with 2012 nemesis, Marian Academy for the coveted title.
Kwakwani generated most of their offence in the paint in the Upper/Demerara Kwakwani region 10 battle; Kwakwani was breezing in the final five minutes of the game boasting a nine-point lead before CWSS made a late surge as time ran out.
With the game favoring Kwakwani 53-44, CWSS made a 7-2 run, but it was too late as the time expired. Leonard Primo scored a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds to lead Kwakwani while Shafeik Thomas and Jeremy Primo had 13 and 10 points respectively.
Terron Welch had a game high 17 points while Travin Dryden dropped 16 points and grabbed a mammoth 23 rebounds. Darren Thomas also chipped in with 10 points and nine rebounds in the CWSS hard-fought loss.
In the Under-17 category, New Amsterdam Multilateral held off St. Roses High School 38-32 to reach the final of the Under-17 category. Neil Wills was again a force to reckon with in the low post with 16 points and 18 rebounds for NA Multi. Shemar Simon contributed 10 points to help the Berbice champs defend their territory last night. Nathan Howell scored 15 points to lead St. Roses.
Meanwhile, Kwakwani routed Marian Academy 63-31 to advance to their second final of the NSBF as had been the trend over the years. Floyd Edmonds, Kerron Phillips and Domair Gladstone had 10 points apiece to lead Kwakwani to the final. Christopher Joao was the main scorer for Marian with nine points in the blowout.
(Edison Jefford)