CCSS, SLSA dominate going into table tennis playoffs

The Beausejour Gymnasium will host the second round of competition in the Inter-Secondary Schools Table Tennis Championships, after Group 4 closed off preliminary action this week at the Castries Table Tennis Centre. The focus now turns to the round of 16 in singles and the team quarterfinals, both of which serve off next Tuesday.

Led by national player Leshon Francis, Castries Comprehensive Secondary School dominated the Group 4 boys team division. CCSS brushed aside Saint Lucia Sports Academy, Corinth Secondary, and Sir Ira Simmons Secondary by identical 3-0 margins to finish top of the zone. Francis, Jay Alcee, and Kareem Innocent went unbeaten to send CCSS into the last eight. 

Corinth Secondary claimed the second quarterfinal ticket, defeating Sir Ira Simmons 3-1, Babonneau Secondary 3-2, and the Sports Academy 3-2 behind solid shifts from Jedd Desir and Kervan Marcel.

The girls’ team contest delivered close finishes. Featuring national champion Shatal Charles, SLSA topped the standings, taking 3-2 decisions over Corinth Secondary and Castries Comprehensive. 

CCSS secured runner-up honours to book their place at Beausejour, led by Lyzan Seraphin, Nefetari Godard, and Emma-Lee Wells. Corinth Secondary also progressed to the quarterfinals behind Elizabeth King and Laricia Oculien.

CCSS enjoyed a strong run in singles qualifiers. Alcee advanced in under-13 boys alongside the Corinth trio of Desir, Jelanie Flermius, and Omari Matthew. Omari McCaunley of SLSA qualified in under-15 boys with Francis, Alcee, and Desir. Francis and Alcee also locked down spots in the under-19 boys’ division, joined by McCaunley and schoolmate Mitchel Deterville.

CCSS made an impact across every female age bracket. Godard, Wells, Kezie Edwards, Hanah James, and Azelia Emmanuel took five of six spots in under-13 girls, with Kelisa Antoine of Sir Ira Simmons taking the other. 

In under-15 girls, Seraphin, Godard, Wells, and Edwards completed a CCSS sweep. Under-19 girls qualifiers saw Charles advance for the Sports Academy, Seraphin, Godard, and Wells go through for Castries Comprehensive, Amia JnMarie qualify for Babonneau, and King progress for Corinth.

Group 4 completion sets the field for the championship rounds. CCSS and Corinth join earlier boys’ qualifiers Special Education Centre Vieux Fort, Vieux Fort Comprehensive, Soufriere Comprehensive, TVET Building Construction, Ciceron Secondary, and St. Mary’s College in the quarters. 

The girls’ team knockout draw will feature VFCSS, St. Joseph’s Convent, Entrepot Secondary, SLSA, CCSS, and Corinth. Action at Beausejour begins at 10:00 a.m. on November 10, with Saint Lucia’s top junior talent battling down to the finals.