ISSA Urban Basketball: Wolmer’s capture Under-16 title

WOLMER'S BOYS are ISSA Urban Under-16 Schoolboys Basketball champions, while it will take a game three to decide the Under-19 winners following action at St George's College yesterday in the second set of matches in the best-of-three finals.

Led by a strong all-round performance from Alexander Richardson, who finished with a game-high 18 points, eight rebounds and seven steals, the Howard Harvey-coached Heroes Circle-based school came from behind to score a convincing 65-50 win over Jamaica College. Alex Farquharson chipped in with 12 points and nine rebounds while Justin Wright added 12 points in support of Richardson.

Down 0-1 after losing their first game to Wolmer's last Friday, it was the Duane Cunningham-coached Jamaica College who began positively as they rushed into a 14-7 first-quarter lead. However, the champions found their rhythm in the second quarter, outscoring their opponents 18-12 as Jamaica College held a slender one-point lead at the half-time break, 26-25.

It was a fired-up Wolmer's team after the break, producing an impressive third quarter and outscoring their opponents 22-10 to take a 47-36 lead going into the final quarter. Wolmer's maintained their momentum in the closing stages, adding 18 points to their opponents' 14 to secure a comprehensive 15-point win and a 2-0 series win.

In the Under-19 finals, the Ryan Martell-coached Campion College stayed on course to retain their title, forcing a third and decisive game to be played on their home court after a workmanlike performance.

The defending champions were off to a fast start, taking the game to their opponents with a decisive 24-12 lead. The home team, however, rallied in the second quarter, outscoring Campion 23-15, but it was the defending champions who led 39-35 at the half-time break.

Bent on forcing a game three at home, Campion maintained their dominance in the third quarter, outscoring St George's College 20-12 to take a healthy 12-point lead going into the final quarter at 59-47.

Despite outscoring Campion 18-17 in the final quarter, it was not enough as the defending champions secured a decisive win and a game-three decider at home on Friday.

Zachary Lawrence-Smith top-scored with 24 points for Campion, while teammate Ryeem Martell added 15 points and 13 rebounds. Imani Salmon led the losers with 24 points, with Jonathon Forbes contributing 13.