Final Day AFNA

The 2010 Americas Federation of Netball Associations Championships in St. Lucia was one of the most competitive thus far. Each team gave a splendid account of themselves and some of the score lines really belied the skill and athleticism displayed on court.

All the teams have improved tremendously even Canada who did not win a game was no walk over, all the teams had to really play them to win.

On the final day, Barbados bounced back from their upset defeat against home team St. Lucia and went about the task of strengthening their goal average against Canada to secure 2nd place in the competition beating out the USA and St. Lucia.

This was made easy by what may have been a fluke for Barbados. With first line goal keeper Lisa Puckerin sidelined by injury, Laurel Browne was

put in this role and she played surprisingly beautifully. Canada was clearly not expecting her height in the circle as they switch out their tall goal shooter Sabrina Versteeg to GA for this game, starting GA Tiffanie Wolfe went to the WA position while Amanda Bonger played goal shooter.

Browne made so many interceptions that it totally released any pressure Canada may have brought to the game upfront. As usual Canada had a strong start, the first quarter score 15-10 in favour of Barbados. Barbados however got progressively stronger while Canada faded, the other intervals scores 29-18 and 45-27 reflected this. Barbados went on to win with a comfortable 60-31 margin.

The starting side for Barbados was Lydia Bishop GS, Nikita Piggott GA, Sabrina Browne WA, Sabrina Smith C, Kizzy Marville WD, Latoya Blackman GD with Browne at GK.

Shooting Stats: Bishop scored 34 of 39 goals for 87% while Piggot had 93% average scoring 26 of her 28 attempts.

For Canada GS Amanda Bonger scored 17 of 27 while Sabrina Verteeg scored 14 of 23.

USA finished 3rd in the competition. In their final game they defeated St. Vincent and the Grenadines 63-39. USA Goal Shooter, Georgina Hibbert who had an outstanding tournament netted 53 of her 57 attempts while goal attack Petra Williams scored 10 of 12. St. Vincent used a total of five shooters. Gailene Gordon, the starting shooter, netted 15 of 17 goals before she left the position at half time. Mary-Ann Federick had one quarter and she scored 9 of 12. In the last quarter Jasmine Frank scored 3 of 5. Tamara Samuel started at the goal attack position and she netted 9 of 10 goals while substitute Roseclair Hall scored 3 of 6.

Champions Trinidad and Tobago completed a clean sweep of the competition dispatching host country St. Lucia 58-45. The intervals scores all in favour of Trinidad were 14-11, 26-23 and 42-30. Up until half time St. Lucia looked to have a fighting chance however Trinidad switched gears and they did not have the gas to follow.

Shooting stats

Trinidad: Anastacia Wilson (GS) 49 of 52, Joelisa Cooper (GA) 5 fo 7 and substitute GA Janelle Barker 4 of 5.

St. Lucia : Dedra Mathurine (GS) 17 of 19, Shem Maxwell 13 of 15 and substitute GA Merlissa Alfred 15 of 17.

Day 4 AFNA Qualifiers

Home team St. Lucia dealt Barbados a knock-out 53-50 punch that has Barbados in jeopardy of missing a netball world championship for the first time due to not qualifying which would be a major set back in its world ranking. (President of the Barbados Netball Association, Octavia Gibson's reaction at the end of the game says it all.)

Playing at the Beausejour indoor facilities, Barbados posted another new line up which featured: Lydia Bishop (GS), Nikita Piggott (GA), Sabrina Smith (WA), Kizzy Marville (C), Tonisha Rock-Yaw (WD), Latoya Blackman (GD) and Lisa Puckerin at (GK). Barbados got out of the blocks early taking the first quarter 11-9. St. Lucia however went into another gear from the second quarter to which Barbados faltered in their response. Shakira Shepherd came into the game in the second quarter for Rock-Yaw who needed a time out. While Barbados adjusted, St. Lucia went into half time with an inspired 25-20 lead.

The third quarter saw more changes from Barbados. Samantha Browne was introduced at (WA) and she later changed with Kizzy to take up the centre position. Barbados was able to pull back 29-29 with this combination but did not have the fire power to go ahead. St. Lucia again taking over and finishing the third quarter with a three goal lead 37-34.

Everybody expected Barbados to make a grand come back in the final quarter like they did against the USA but this time the players on court did not have the depth to pull it off.

With Latoya out of the game Barbados finished with Shepherd at GD and Rock Yaw at WD. At the front too Piggott gave way to Nadia Blackman at GA. The sheer newness of this combination beat Barbados as they had no history to fall back on when the going got tough and the pressure was at its most intense. The players fought valiantly to the end but clearly the wrong combination of players were on court.

Shooting stats:

Lydia Bishop netted 29 of 35 , Nikita Piggott - 18 of 19 and Nadia Blackman scored a perfect 3 of 3.

For St Lucia: Deidre Maithurin scored 32 of 33 while Shem Maxwell scored 21 goals from 21 attempts.

When these two teams last met at the AFNA tournament in 2008 Barbados easily dispatched St. Lucia 54-35. St. Lucia scored another big victory against Barbados in 2001 in a Connie Francis coached side.

Results of other games played on Day 4 were:

St. Vincent & The Grenadines won against Canada 52-48
Trinidad & Tobago defeated the USA 49-34

Trinidad and Tobago will finish on top of the table today even if home country St. Lucia is able to pull another upset victory out of the bag. The second place team and the other team to qualify will be decided after the games today.

Day 3 AFNA World Qualifiers St. Lucia

Day 3 of the World Qualifiers could have been the final day of the AFNA tournament here in St. Lucia, as arch rivals faced off from Game One. The two teams from the North, Canada and the USA faced each other in game one.

Surprisingly it was Canada who got the early jump on the USA, leading for most of the game. USA however surfaced when it was most important to finish with a game winning 42-36. The interval scores all in favour of Canada were 13-9, 23-14 and 30-27.

Game two was close, physical and scrappy with a number of time outs. At the end home team St. Lucia emerged victorious 46-40 over St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

In the big match up for the evening, Trinidad and Tobago led from the get go and despite pressure from Barbados at intermittent intervals they never faltered leading all intervals 16 -11, 28-23 and 43-39 to finish with a comfortable 10 goal margin 59-49.

The starting line up for the teams were: Barbados - Lydia Bishop (GS), Nikita Piggott (GA), Sabrina Browne (WA), Samantha Browne (C), Kizzy Marville (WD), Lisa Puckering (GD) and Latoya Blackman at GK. Trinidad fielded: Anastacia Wilson (GS), Joelsia Cooper (GA), Rhonda John (WA), Krista Winchester (C), Candice Guererro (WD), Anika La Roche (GD) and Angel Ottley at GK.

Barbados again had lots of trouble on the attack, Sabrina Browne made a number of unforced errors and most times was shut out of the game. This should have been the second quarter change as Lydia Bishop was obviously ready for the game, moving well and playing very strong but was not getting the kind of support she needed from the attack to keep up a healthy momentum. Piggott along with Samatha Browne and Kizzy Marville who played an attacking more than defensive WD were key to production however this created a lot of pressure which could have been relieved with a genuine passer in the squad.

The key to Barbados' demise however came in the third quarter with some substitutions which really did not pan out and clearly took completely what little pressure was on Trinidad off. Barbados went with Lydia Bishop at GA and Laurel Browne at GS. Reminiscent of the old Sonia Banfield and Jennifer Forde in the goal circle days. It hardly worked back then and it certainly did not work this time. Barbados is definitely struggling to find its strongest line up.

My first team based on performance at the tournament: Lydia Bishop, Nikita Piggott, Sabrina Smith, Samantha Browne, toss up between Shepherd and Kizzy at WD (two different styles, effective differently depending on the game), Latoya Blackman and Lisa Puckerin.

Thanks for the commentary, good and indifferent. It lets me know someone is reading :-)

Day 2 AFNA World Qualifiers In St. Lucia

Day 2 provided lots of excitement for spectators as the competition was stiff, and the action nail bitting at the Beausejour indoor facility in St. Lucia for the Americas Federation of Netball Associations World qualifiers.

Game one was the most predictable. Trinidad and Tobago seized a slim 12-11 lead from St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the first quarter and built on it 25-21, 40-33 to finish with a clear ten goal cushion 53-43.

The second game Barbados vs USA was action packed. USA who clearly have arrived to upset the apple cart started confidently jumping to an early 13-8 goal lead. Barbados started with a new line up from their first match while USA kept their side unchanged. Barbados used Laurel Browne (GS), Nikita Piggott (GA) Nadia Blackman (WA), Samantha Smith (C), Shakira Shepherd (WD), Latoya Blackman (GD) and Lisa Puckerin (GK).

Laurel Browne did not have a good start to the game. She was unavailable and the attack looked very disorganised. USA on the other hand progressed smoothly, their shooter Georgina Hibbert, a tough six footer with some girth was not an easily match up for Puckerin but she did a commendable job again along with Blackman. USA maintained a slim one goal lead in the second quarter 21-22 and moved forward in the third after the changes, which Barbados' coach Alwyn Babb made, did not pan out (37-33).

The problem was not with his attack but with the shooter so the entry of Kizzy Marville at WD and Sabrina Browne at WA was to no effect since Laurel Browne just was not available in this game. Lydia Bishop having had a good look from the side lines came into the game in the last quarter and put the game beyond USA's reach, Barbados eventually making the game look easier than it really was with a handsome 11 goal differential (51-40). Shooting stats: Laurel Browne - 16 of 23, Nikita Piggott - 23 from 29 and Bishop a perfect 12 of 12.

For the USA: Georgina Hibbert scored 36 of 40 while the active Roneish Davis, USA's play maker scored 3 of 5. Tasha Browne, the last quarter substitute netted 1 of 3.

Home country St. Lucia pull off a keenly contested victory against Canada, 47 -45.

AFNA Championships St. Lucia

Host country St. Lucia suffered a heart wrenching 42-38 defeat at the hands of USA in the first major upset of the tournament on the very first day of the Americas Federation of Netball Associations (AFNA) Qualifiers at the Beausejour indoor facility in St. Lucia.

A mere six teams are featured in the tournament vying for the right to attend the world championships next year in Singapore. Jamaica has already qualified. Teams (St. Lucia, Barbados, Canada, USA, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and Trinidad and Tobago)

The Saint Lucia

national netball squad: Merlessa Alfred, Miryam Augustin, Deselva Florton, Glatta Gabriel, Niocse Louis, Shem Maxwell, Judy Mathurin, Dedra Mathurin, Michelle Rodgers, Delia Samuel, Roxanne Synder, and Saphia William; with Rebecca Flemius (manager), Anthony Lamontagne (coach), and Donnalynn Joseph (Assistant Coach).

The USA side allegedly is packed with Jamaicans who played top level netball in their home country. Other nationalities quoted are Australians, Trinidadians and Barbadians. Barbadian Beverley Morris- Giles (a former national netballer) is on the sidelines as Manager (more on the players names later). USA led all the intervals but in the last quarter St. Lucia on two occasions had the opportunity to move ahead but failed to do so.

Barbados had their first victory at a championship under its new coach Alwyn Babb. Starting a little shaky against arch rivals St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Barbados line up featured, Lydia Bishop GS, Nikita Piggott GA, Sabrina Browne (WA), Sabrina (C), Kizzy Marville (WD), Latoya (GD) and Lisa Puckerin (GK).

Bishop surprisingly was ordinary, the St. Vincent GK really had an outstanding game. It was Nikata Piggott who was awesome doing all the work outside and transitioning smoothly to the shooting position taking the pressure off Bishop when she clearly appeared frustrated on occasions. It was my first time seeing Sabrina Browne at wing attack and with all the fuss back in Barbados about this position, I would say Barbados is clearly still looking. In this game Sabrina was clearly out of her depth but her little sister Samatha who was her substitute (she went to centre while the other Sabrina went WA) is clearly cut out for top level competition. The defensives were also very outstanding keeping Barbados in the game while the attack tried to sort themselves out.

It was with this change that Barbados demonstrated that they were a cut above St. Vincent easily defeating that team 57-33. The scores at the intervals - 11-10 SVG; 24-21 (B'dos) and 40-25 (B'dos). Barbados scored 6 straight goals after the half time change. A no brainer change if you ask me. (Bishop scored 31 of 39 and Piggott 26 of 31) (SVG Janelle Frank was limited to 14 of 18 and Gaylene Gordon 19 of 24)

The other winner on the night was Trinidad and Tobago who dispatched Canada 48-36.

Canada 6th Place AFNA 2008

Canada lost all five of their games in the AFNA 2008 Championship.  This result however did  not speak to their consistent play and their improvement throughout the tournament.

Canada looked the best coached team in the tournament.  If their coach had five others like goal defence Shawnette Cockburn and goal attack Maralyn Hope they would have been able to pull off  at least two victories. 

  

They finished with one less goal than St. Lucia in the entire competition 171, but unlike St. Lucia their goals did not come at game defining moments.  

Canada's statistics - Goals for 171, goals against 285.  Attempts 340.  Goal difference -114.  Goal average 0.60.  Accuracy 64.04%.

None of the Canadian shooter was in the top ten but Maralyn Hope finished 17th overall.  She scored 106 from 161 attempts and her average was 65.84.

On the final day Canada was treated to their own cheer leading team.  A group of visitors to the island.

Jamaica Are AFNA Champions 2008

Jamaica maintain their dominance over Caribbean netball defeating Trinidad and Tobago 53-32 at the Arnos Vale Complex this evening.  The world's number four team lead all the intervals 18-7, 28-16 and 42-25 in a very physical encounter.  

Simone Forbes was the difference between the teams.  She totally dominated the Jamaica's attack and none of Trinidad's defences provided her with any major challenge.  She finished her tour scoring 27 of 30.  Jamaica tried three shooters Crystal Gordon who started netted 20 of 28, Vanessa Walker scored 3 of 4 and Christina Solmon made 3 of 3.  For Trinidad Anastascia Wilson shot 27 of 33 while Joelisa Cooper netted 5 of 10.

Third place in the competition went to Barbados who barely turn up against Canada.  The Bajan did just enough to defeat the persistent Canadians 59-44.  Barbados led all the intervals 15-9, 32-18, and 48-31.  Barbados used three shooters Laurel Browne scored 23 of 26, Lydia Bishop who started scored 18 of 19 and reserve Nikita Piggott netted 18 of 21.

The upset of the evening came when  St. Lucia defeated home team St. Vincent and the 

Grenadines 40-38.   St. Lucia led the first quarter 15-8, but St. Vincent came back 23-22 at half time.  St. Lucia took over 32- 30 and held on for the nail bitting two gaol victory.

Trinidad and Jamaica Winners on Day 4

Trinidad and Tobago defeated Canada 59-39 on Wednesday in the AFNA 2008 Championships but their performance was not convincing.  The Trinis came out blazing leading all intervals 16-2, 32-10 and 46-24.  

The Canadians despite losing all their games so far have been consistent and persistent.  They matched the Trinis 14-14 goals in the third quarter and won the final quarter 15-13.

St Vincent and the Grenadines suffered another defeat, this time at the hands of the Jamaicans. This really is no disgrace, however their fans were less than happy with their 21-58 performance.
 

Interval scores all in Jamaica's favour were 13-7, 24-12 and 16-46.

AFNA Championships - Tuesday Round Up

St. Lucia, Trinidad and Jamaica were the victors on day three of the AFNA 2008 Championships at the Arnos Vale Complex, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

In game one St. Lucia defeated Canada 47-41 in a keenly contested encounter.  The game was level 14-14 at the first interval but St. Lucia played their best netball in the second quarter to take a 28-19 lead.  This was the turning point in the game because although Canada gave a good account of themselves for the balance of the game the battle had already been won.

Starting Line Up -Canada

Sabrina Versteeg (GS), Maralyn Hope (GA), Jessie Evans (WA), Narm Thavarsalingam (C), Rebekah Eaton (WD) Shawnette Cockburn (GD), Sonja Salbuvik (GK)

St. Lucia 

Shem Maxwell (GS), Roxanne Synder (GA), Miryam Austin (WA), Deselva Florton (C), Romella Hunte (WD), Michelle Rogers (GD) and Judie Mathurin (GK).

In Game Two Barbados and Jamaica exchanged body blows.  At one stage the two teams were called to the centre of the field and warned by the umpire.  Jamaica won 52-35 but it was not easy.  The scores at the intervals were 18-7, 30-17 and 42-31 all in Jamaica's favour. 

 

A consolation for Barbados was winning the third quarter 14-12 against the Titans.  The Bajan shooters shot well but were not well serviced.  Laurel Browne started and scored 8 of 

10 in the first and second quarters and her replacement Lydia Bishop scored 14 of 14.  For Jamaica, Simone Forbes took control of the game scoring 21 of 26 while shooters Crystal Gordan and Christina Solmon scored 26 of 30 and 5 of 7 respectively.

The Line Ups

Barbados

Laurel Browne (GS), Nikita Piggott (GA), Dionne Quarless (WA), Sabreena Smith (C), Kizzy Marville (WD), Sherry Martindale (GD) and Rhe-Ann Niles (GK)

Jamaica

Crystal Gordan (GS), Simone Forbes (GA), Nadine Bryan (WA), Nichala Gibson (C), Tracey Robinson (WD), Nicole Aiken and Malysha Kelly

In Game Three Trinidad and Tobago continued their unbeaten streak defeating home team St. Vincent and the Grenadines 41-33.    St. Vincent took the early 11-8 lead but faltered in the second allowing Trinidad to go ahead 21-17.  

The Trinis built on this 37-25 in the third.

Starting line ups

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Leeana Lewis (GS), Nicole Sandy (GA), Shanique DeShong (WA), Saska Diamond (C), Maxine James (WD), Curla Francis-Edwards (GD) and Vasha Adams (GK)

Trinidad and Tobago

Anastascia Wilson (GS), Joelisa Cooper (GA), Rhonda John (WA), Tricia Liverpool (C), Kemba Duncan (WD), Crystal George (GD) and Anika La Roche (Gk)

Jamaica Up Two Games - Canada Down Two

Last Night Jamaica looked larger than life in the AFNA tournament as their captain Simone Forbes was back leading the ship after completing other national duties in the 12th Caribbean Volleyball Champions in Barbados.

This time the team made no first quarter blunders as they did against St. Lucia, the interval scores were 17-5, 33-9, 50 - 14 and they finally won by a whopping 69 of 17.

Jamaica starting line up was Crystal Gordan (GS), Simone Forbes (GA), Nadine Bryan (WA), Tracey Robinson (C), Nichala Gibson (WD), Kelly Malysha (GD) and Nicole Aiken (GK).  

Canada started with Sabrina Versteeg (GS),

 Maralyn Hope (GA), Narm Thavarasalingam (C), Rebekah Eatmon (WD), Shawnette Cockburn (GD), and Sonja Salbuvik (GK).

Canada used their two shooters for the entire game.  Versteeg was way below par making herself available for just 5 attempts of which she scored two.  Maralyn Hope always active and attacking had a hard fought 22 of 15.

In Jamaica's case captain Forbes played three globe trotter style quarters.  One of the Caribbean's best, she made light work of her 20 of 24.  

Reserve Vanessa Walker was given the second quarter and contributed 3 of 3, while goal shooter Crystal Gordan scored 27 of 29 and reserve shooter Christina Solmon netted 19 of her 22. 

AFNA Championships - Monday Schedule Preview

The big game today will be against host St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados who are ranked 12th and 11th in the world respectively, at 6:45pm.  I would give the edge to St. Vincent who have home court advantage.  Barbados however will be fighting to remain seeded ahead of its nemesis St. Vincent, these two know each other well and have a long history of fighting for Caribbean supremacy. 

Take Jamaica out of the equation, for the Eastern Caribbean, this is one of the unofficial finals, last night's game between Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados was another.  Starting from their historic three way tie in Antigua in 1992, which was repeated the following year, these three teams are the teams to step up their administration and game and take the Caribbean up the world ranking.

Trinidad takes on St. Lucia in the the second game at 6:15pm.  They are expected to win, but judging from St. Lucia's first quarter against Jamaica, the Trinidadians cannot take this very defensive team for granted.

In the first game of the evening, the Canadians will be staring at their second defeat as they take on the world's fouth seeded team, Jamaica.  I suspect that coach Francis will use her full under 21 squad for this game.  Last night she used four against St. Lucia.  I think an acid test of the strength of the rest of teams in the tournament will be how many of Jamaica's seven under 21s that their are grooming for next year's worlds, will they be able to play against the other countries first teams.  This also says a lot about the wide gap between Jamaica and the rest of the Americas.

Barbados - Netball Pioneer Passes Away

The Sunday Sun Nation Newspaper in Barbados reported today that "FORMER MAPLE CLUB captain and Barbados netball player June Carew died recently in Ontario, Canada, where she had relocated after decades of a local career as owner-operator of June's Beauty Box in Bridgetown.

June's life will be celebrated at a memorial service to be held at the Holetown Methodist Church on June 11, after which her cremated remains will be interred at the St Peter Cemetery."

Click on the newspaper image for the entire Nation story.