St Catherine, Holmwood top ISSA senior finals

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Defending champions St Catherine High and Holmwood Technical retained their urban and rural senior netball titles, respectively, after impressive wins in the finals of the ISSA schoolgirls netball competitions at the National Indoor Sport Centre yesterday.

St Catherine High made it three wins in a row, after getting by The Queen’s School 32-24, while Holmwood got the better of Denbigh 38-30 in the rural finals.

New champions were crowned among the juniors as Holmwood Technical made it a double on the day after getting by defending champions Manchester High 21-16 in the rural finals. In the urban finals, Wolmer’s Girl’s went one place better after beating St Hugh’s 31-25 for their first hold on the urban title.

In what was the match of the day, the Carline Graham Powell-coached Holmwood seniors, led by the outstanding Jada Ricketts in goal attack, who was named MVP, led her team to a flawless fourth quarter to get by Denbigh.

“This one is special as despite starting out a bit slow, I was not worried as the girls were well prepared and were ready for the occasion, and I am very thankful for all those who helped to make this happen”, said Graham Powell, who also stated that it was a great feeling to win the double for the second time.

“Turnovers were our problems today and that caused us the loss. The girls played well in parts and it was unfortunate to lose our only game of the season at this stage which was the finals”, said Winston Nevers.

After losing to Queen’s in the preliminary round it was a different St Catherine High who turned up for the urban senior finals. The Phyllis Thompson-coached team led from start to finish for an easy win as the Marvette Anderson-coached team had no answer for the three-time champions.

Playing inside the circle the very tall and lanky goal shooter Kydeen Gordon was unstoppable, netting 27 goals from 38 attempts.

“Defending our title and winning three in a row is an awesome feeling. I must give credit to my tall goal shooter Gordon who used to be my goalkeeper. But losing one of my tall goals shooters from last year’s team I had to find a replacement and I am so proud of the girls as they have worked hard all season,” said Thompson.

After getting by St Hugh’s in the clash of unbeaten teams in the urban finals, coach of Wolmer’s Girls’, Tracy Ann Griffiths, was very proud for the school’s first junior success.

“We are very happy to be crowned champions. The girls were very disciplined and they worked hard all season and pulling off the win I am so proud of them,” said Griffiths.

Losing coach Nardia Hanson stated that the moment got to her team.

“I think the girls got a bit nervous when they were behind Wolmer’s. They are very young and I understand,” Hanson said. “But I am proud of them as they had a good start.”

sports@gleanerjm.com