The preliminary round of the Department of Youth Development and Sports Under-19 Secondary School Basketball Championship concluded on Tuesday at the Beausejour Gymnasium, with Soufrière Comprehensive and defending champions Sir Arthur Lewis Community College recording lopsided victories to confirm the quarterfinal bracket.
SCSS overwhelmed Sir Ira Simmons Secondary 94-20 to win Group B. Curdin Jones equalled his tournament-high with another 61-point explosion, dominating the glass with 39 rebounds, while adding 10 steals and two assists. Aloysious William delivered a remarkable defensive showing with 23 steals to go along with 14 points, while Trenton Henry tallied 12 points, 12 steals, and seven rebounds.
Jaden Gabriel led SISSS with 12 points, five rebounds, and four steals, while Tyrese St. Rose contributed six points and four steals.
SALCC maintained their perfect record with a comfortable 60-23 win over Entrepôt Secondary School in Group A. The men from the Morne took charge early, opening up a 22-6 lead after the first quarter and holding ESS scoreless in the second to lead 25-6 at the interval. Nyel Joseph paced the defending champions with a game-high 26 points, six steals, and four assists. Nezan Lewis scored 12 points to go with seven rebounds, five steals, and four assists, while Shaynne Edgar added nine points, seven rebounds, five steals, and four assists.
Terrance Alcee led ESS with six points and two steals, while Imani Gonzague had three points.
In the scheduled third fixture, Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary was awarded a walkover after Micoud Secondary failed to show.
With the group stage concluded, the quarterfinal matchups are set for Thursday at Beausejour. SALCC will tip off the knockout phase against Vieux Fort Comprehensive at 11:00 a.m., followed by St Mary’s College taking on Entrepôt at 12:00 noon. SCSS meet Beanefield Comprehensive at 1:00 p.m., before Leon Hess Comprehensive clash with Castries Comprehensive at 2:00 p.m. in a heavyweight encounter to round out the final four qualifiers.
