The Island Academy girls of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye placed 4th at the national primary school’s basketball championship organized by the National Sports Council at the Russell “Chiste” Garcia auditorium on Friday, April 28, where they represented as the Belize district champions. Minister of State for Sports Hon. Gilroy Usher Sr delivered the keynote address at the opening ceremonies.
The 6 teams played a single round robin in 2 groups of 3, from which the top 2 teams in each group advanced to the semifinals.
The Island Academy girls enjoyed a 11-9 win over the Toledo district champions, the St Peter Claver RC girls of Punta Gorda Town in Game 6, as Zahara Jonez scored 3pts, and Brianni Gongora, Lucy Vandy, Ashley Cardinez and Kayjah Samuels each scored a basket. Toledo’s Jahmina Valerio scored 6 pts, and Jazlynne Garbutt added 3 pts.
The Island Academy girls had lost to the Louisiana Government School girls of Orange Walk 8-16 in Game 2, in which Zahara Jones led Isla Bonita with 4 pts, and Briani Gongora and Persephone Curry each threw in a basket. Orange Walk’s Jazana Pascual scored 8 pts, and Jinelle Simpson and Karece Gotoy each netted 4pts. The Orange Walk girls advanced to the semifinals with 2 wins, by a 28-7 win over the Toledo girls
The Stann Creek district champions, the St Alphonsus girls of Seine Bight also advanced to the semifinals with 2 wins, eliminating the Corozal girls: 30-0 in Game 3, and schooling the Cayo girls: 17-5 in Game 5.
In Game 1, the Cayo district champions, the Santa Elena girls of the blew away the St Francis Xavier RC girls of the Corozal district: 19-0.
In Game 7 of the semifinals, the Sugar City girls eliminated the Cayo girls: 22-4; while in Game 8, the St Alphonsus girls dominated the Island girls: 13-6.
In Game 9 the consolation match for 3rd place, the Santa Elena girls won 11-7 over the Island Academy girls. Zahara Jones scored 5pts, and Lucy Vandy netted a basket.
In Game 10 the championship finals, the Seine Bight girls dominated the Orange Walk girls 18-10.
At the awards ceremony after the finals, NSC tournament coordinator Marvin Ottley presented team trophies and individual medals to the champions, 2nd and 3rd place winners, and the Most Valuable Player award to Jolene Aranda of St Alphonsus.
