There is a largely familiar look about the semifinals of the Under-19 Boys’ Schools Basketball Tournament, following the quarterfinals on October 30, at the Beausejour Gymnasium. The competition is organised by the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, with support from the Ministry of Education and the Saint Lucia Basketball Federation.
Back are defending champions, Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC), albeit by a walkover, after Micoud Secondary School did not show up for the contest. Also returning are three-time losing finalists, Soufrière Comprehensive Secondary School (SCSS), and last year’s fourth-placed team, St Mary’s College (SMC).
Replacing 2024 bronze medallists Patricia D James Secondary School in the semifinals, however, are the boys from Castries Comprehensive Secondary School (CCSS). They won three of their five preliminary games, then defeated Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School (VFCSS) 64-38 in the October 30 elite eight.
Meshach Du Boulay led CCSS with 24 points, inclusive of three three-pointers. He grabbed 10 rebounds, adding seven steals and seven assists. David Chandler contributed 19 on 9-15 shooting, with nine rebounds.
For VFCSS, Josan Henry tallied eleven points. ten rebounds, and six steals. Chris Cyrilon chipped in with ten points and 14 rebounds on 12 shots.
“What we did last year, we had most of all, in fact, everybody here played juniors,” explained CCSS physical education teacher Brandon Clauzel. “This year, we added a Dominican, Meshach. And we tried to build our team around him. He has had some positive impact on the players. And I solicited the assistance of Simeon Hippolyte to assist me in coaching the team.”
CCSS will have an uphill task in their bid to make the final. They will play Soufrière next on November 4. SCSS beat Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School 48-38, only really pulling away in the last frame.
Curden Jones paced the lads from Sulphur City with 26 points, 15 boards, four steals, and three blocks. Alex Longville had just eight points, but he was staunch defensively, pulling down 12 caroms, swiping eight steals, and recording two blocked shots.
Sage Lewis led LHCSS with 12 points, 15 rebounds, four steals, and three blocks.
SMC booked a tough date with SALCC by beating Corinth Secondary Schools 46-37. Neezan Lewis had a double-double, 12 points and 12 rebounds. Requelmi Pierre had 11 points. The SMC boys came into the game after completing their school road race earlier in the day. Corinth got 18 points from Neeshawn Cosmay and 13 from Allexe Foster.
The semifinals will be played at the Beausejour Gymnasium.
