Nevers
Charmaine Austin, Staff Reporter
JAMALCO SAY a new Berger Senior League netball champion will be crowned this year and it will be them.
Defending champions Waulgrovians also believe they will win but their Clarendon-based opponents and long-time rivals feel they are more deserving.
Having reached the final for five consecutive years without any success in capturing the title "we are more confident than ever before", coach Winston Nevers said.
Jamalco lost the title to Tivoli in 1998 then to Waulgrovians ever year after that.
"Our team is much better all-round and to be honest, there's no reason why we shouldn't win. We need it, we want it this year and badly," he said.
Besides having the distinction of conceding the least amount of goals at the end of the preliminary round this year, Jamalco also have something else buoying their confidence. They beat Waulgrovians in the preliminary round and are looking for a repeat in the final.
With a balanced court from attack to defence, "It won't be too difficult.
"This year we have more depth and are more determined. It first showed when we beat them earlier this season and we know we can do it again. What has really made the difference is the change we made in the shooting circle.
"We made other changes as well but having Tasha Morgan shooting alongside Elaine (Davis) has really done wonders for the team. The ball moves faster in attack and this should give the Waulgrovians defence more work. Hopefully more than they can handle," Nevers said.
Incentives being offered outside of the competition from organisations and individuals like Dennis May and Cleve Russell are also a driving force behind Jamalco's determination.
Morgan for example is so intent on helping her team win that she spent most of yesterday at G.C. Foster College practising shots under the defence of a 6' 11 male basketballer.
"The semi-final was hard but the focus and determination they had was unbelievable. It is the same approach we'll be taking to the final," Nevers said.
While they await their big date, Jamalco will put in as much work as they can. The recent rains that affected the island disrupted training so this first week of June will be a busy one for the team.
Said Nevers: "The rains frustrated us a bit and we couldn't train for the final as a result. I'm personally glad because it gave us some time to recuperate after the late semi-final (Jamalco beat Jetsetters A 65-60). We will put in some extra days next week because we need to win.
"Waulgrovians have the material and I know they are going to come good. Like us they have a balanced team but we know their weaknesses and that's where we'll attack."
