Crucial clashes today in ISSA Rural Basketball

The ISSA Rural Schoolboys Basketball competition resumes today with Game Two of the best-of-three series for both the under-16 and under-19 teams.

In the under-16 finals, defending champions Manchester High will be seeking to level the series after they were blown away 57-36 by Herbert Morrison Technical High School (HMTHS) in Game One. Match time is 2:15 p.m.

Levar Rose, coach of HMTHS, said he is optimistic about the team’s chances in today’s game, and his team is very confident.

“Manchester have home court advantage, but we just have to remain consistent and execute our game plan and try to come out as the winners,” said Rose, who is aiming to keep their unbeaten record intact.

At 3:45 p.m., Manchester’s under-19 players will look to wrap things up in their series when they face first-time finalists Holmwood Technical High in Game Two. In Game One, Manchester dismissed Holmwood 102-61 to push them on the verge of elimination.

Damon Sullivan, coach of Manchester, said the team must execute properly regardless of the venue.

“We are playing against a quality team, so if we don’t turn up wherever the game is being played, we will not win,” said Sullivan

Sullivan added that the need for mental preparation and execution is important.

“Hard work pays off. We have been more aggressive this year in terms of our preparation because I do not want the team to end up feeling that we will easily win a third championship,” Sullivan said.

Andre Brown, the coach of Holmwood, emphasised the importance of defence and staying connected as a group.

“I think at times, we fall off defensively. We have to stay connected and disciplined on defence, play our style of basketball, and stick with it,” said Brown.

The Game One defeat was Holmwood’s first loss of the season, and they will now have to lift their level in a bid to push the series into a Game Three.

TODAY’S MATCHES

2:15 p.m.: U16 - Manchester vs Herbert Morrison

3::45 p.m.: U19 - Manchester vs Holmwood Technical

Both matches will be played at Manchester High.