3 weeks ago
8
JUNIOR netball teams from Holmwood Technical and Manchester High scored impressive wins in yesterday’s ISSA rural schoolgirls quarterfinals at the GC Foster College indoor court.
Last year’s beaten finalists, Holmwood, first blew away Glenmuir High 30-17 before defending champions Manchester took care of Denbigh High 25-13 as both teams advanced to Monday’s semi-finals.
In the Holmwood-Glenmuir clash, the Carline Graham Powell-coached girls were out of the blocks fast, racing to a 10-6 first-quarter lead. Led by goal shooter Syranna Brown, with help from goal attack Reliek Rodney, they rushed into a 17-9 halftime lead.
Going into the third quarter, Holmwood did not take their feet off the pedal as they widened their lead to 24-13 after the third stanza.
Glenmuir tried their best to get back on terms in the final quarter, but the very fit Holmwood team was just too good for them. Brown top-scored for Holmwood with 23 goals from 30 attempts, with partner Jones sinking seven from nine. Goal shooter Lacyann Burrowes of Glenmuir scored 14 goals from 18 attempts.
Winning coach Graham-Powell stated that her team had prepared well for the quarterfinals.
“It is a quarterfinals and a knockout, and my team was ready. We came out for a win, and we did that, but we are taking it one game at a time,” said Graham Powell.
Ahead of their encounter against Denbigh, Manchester High were the underdogs after finishing second in their group. Unbeaten all season, the Winston Nevers-coached Denbigh took an early 6-5 first quarter lead and were looking to dominate. However, Manchester came out in the second quarter, looking very determined, playing solid all- round netball. Surprised by the impressive play of their opponents, Denbigh’s players made a lot of errors as the defending champions outscored them 6-2 to take an 11-8 lead at the halftime break.
With Manchester piling on the pressure in the third quarter, they forced Denbigh into a lot of errors. Manchester’s duo of goalkeeper Ja-Ann Thompson and Leanna Thompson kept out everything that came their way as their team went into the final quarter leading by 17.
Goal shooter Makayla Thompson with 14 goals from 22 attempts and goal attack Aryana Jones, 11 from 12, helped Manchester to pile on the pressure in the fourth quarter. For Denbigh, goal shooter Chrisdale Wignall scored 12 from 14 attempts.
Manchester’s coach, Simone Smith, was elated with her team’s big win.
“My girls came out to play some good netball today and wanted the win. The shooters turned up and my defence was solid, and it was indeed a good all-round performance from them,” said Smith.
Mile Gully High and Titchfield High also advanced to the junior semi-finals. Mile Gully defeated Iona High 33-19, and Titchfield edged May Day High 28-26.
Manchester and Holmwood will be in two semi-finals following victories by their senior teams. Manchester whipped Morant Bay High 48-10 while Holmwood got by Dinthill Technical 28-9 in a game that was aborted in the third quarter due to a disparity in the scores and water on the court. Denbigh defeated Maggotty High 42-4 and Glenmuir beat Mt Alvernia High 40-10 in the other two quarterfinals. The times were reduced in both matches.
English (US) ·