St. Johns Antigua, Sunday April 6/Pamala Proverbs
Barbados Under 16 Netballers began their hunt for the Caribbean Netball Association Jean Pierre Youth Championship Cup in Antigua with an emphatic 40-21 victory over St. Lucia on Sunday.
Playing at the YMCA grounds in the heart of the capital St. Johns the Bajan girls, ranked number 2 after Jamaica, looked in good form to recapture the title they won three years ago in St.Kitts. Starting the first quarter a little jittery they were matched by the talented St. Lucians who were able to hold them almost goal for gaol. They came off that quarter with a slim 6-4 goals lead, and led all the intervals 21-11, and 34 -16.
The class and form of the Bajans however emerged in the second quarter with the stepping up of their center court play led by wing defence Shakola Herbert who had an outstanding performance. Herbert along with centre Danissa Foster and captain and goal defence Jeneice Clarke dominated the centre court taking the game away from the St. Lucians.
Barbados has found a genuine goal attack in the Rhea Holder. The Foundation student was as comfortable playing outside the goal circle helping her team to bring the ball into the attack as she was scoring. Starting the first half of the game with a perfect 6 of 6, she however feel off in the second half to complete the game scoring of 11 of 19.
Goal shooter Shannon Hackett was a tower of power. The soft spoken Garrison school student showed a touch of class well beyond her years. Having an almost perfect game, she shot a whopping 29 of 31.
St. Lucia tried three shooters. Goals shooter Janna Hippolyte scored 11 of 21 and
goal attacks Jamaie Ambrose scored 7 of 7 while reserve Rhonda Papius scored 3 of 7.
In other games Grenada defeated Antigua 19-17, Jamaica defeated Dominca 38-10 and St. Vincent went under to Trinidad 14 to 28.
The only blunder the team made was assisted by the coach who changed the WA Tia Jones in the second quarter. Jones has been the play maker on the attack all tournament and with her out the Barbados attack struggle to find a rhythm. That was their weakest quarter the interval scores being 12-2, 20-5 and 35-7.
