Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer
Old Harbour High's Bradley Bogues jumps to make a lay-up against his Ardenne High opponent during the KFC/ISSA Under-16 schoolboys basketball semi-final at the Stadium Court on Saturday. Bogues scored 25 points and grabbed 21 rebounds in Old Harbour's 53-49 win. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
ST. JAGO and Old Harbour High advanced to the final of the
KFC/ISSA all-island championships after nail-biting victories at the National
Stadium on Saturday.
In the Under-19 semi-final match, St. Jago booked their place in the finals against St. Catherine with an exciting 55-48 victory over Old Harbour.
The winners were led by a triple double from their inspirational captain Adrian Forbes, who had 12 points, 13 rebounds and 11 blocked shots. He was well supported by team Michael Blake who scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
PRESSURE
St. Jago, which trailed 20-17 at the half-time break, turned on the pressure on Old Harbour in the third period as they ended with an 8-2 run to take a 34-30 lead going into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter was an exciting one as both teams traded baskets with Phillip Reid leading the way for Old Harbour with 19 points, 10 rebounds and eight steals.
Coach of the St. Jago team, Kevin Vassell, had some reservations about the match.
"I wasn't very confident because most of my players are injured and some of them just didn't turn up for the game. Nevertheless, I am happy for the victory and we are now looking forward towards the final against St. Catherine," he said.
The coach of Old Harbour, Robert Ramsay, was very disappointed.
"It was a very tough loss. We made some silly mistakes and that cost us the game, and also a number of our players didn't turn up. Nevertheless, congrats to St. Jago," he added.
In the opening Under-16 encounter at the same venue, Old Harbour, led by captain Bradley Bogues' game-high 25 points and 21 rebounds, defeated Ardenne 53-49 in an exciting match.
Old Harbour led 23-22 at the half-time break as Bogues was well supported by teammate Adrian Salmon, with 17 points and 16 rebounds. Alwaine Thorpe got 20 points and six rebounds for Ardenne. Old Harbour will now take on Calabar in the final on Thursday at the National Stadium.
