A brilliant late-game performance secured St Mary’s College the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports Under-16 Boys Basketball Tournament title as they defeated Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School 29-20 on Friday at the Beausejour Gymnasium.
The first half was tightly contested, with the teams locked at 11-11. After trading baskets to make it 13-13, Requelme Pierre’s three-pointer gave SMC a 16-13 lead late in the third quarter, sparking a decisive run.
Rawlins Estwick missed two free throws but forced a turnover, leading to Rane Gustave sinking both of his attempts for a five-point advantage. Another three from Tai LaForce extended SMC’s lead to eight.
LHCSS captain Jabari Lewis, who struggled at the line with 3-15 on free throws, missed two crucial attempts at the end of the third. Hess finally scored again with under six minutes left, cutting the deficit with a three-pointer. Lewis added a tough layup to bring his team within one possession, but SMC responded immediately.
Lewis split free throws with 3:30 remaining, leaving Hess trailing by four. Despite strong defence, Hess couldn’t capitalise, and SMC pulled away with a free throw from Estwick and a breakaway layup by LaForce, making it 26-19. Lewis hit one more free throw, but Pierre’s layup and Gustave’s split at the line sealed the 29-20 victory.
Estwick, with six points, 11 rebounds and two steals, was named MVP. LaForce added nine points, four rebounds, and four steals, while Lewis contributed 10 rebounds and three blocks despite his shooting struggles. For Hess, Lewis finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds but shot poorly from the field (5-21), and Christopher Thakur went 0-12.
In the bronze medal game, Castries Comprehensive Secondary School defeated Entrepot Secondary School 33-19, led by Kean St Luce’s 18 points. David Chandler added nine points, 15 rebounds, and six steals.
