'Development can still lead to titles'

St Catherine High school coach, Lennox Lindo, says winning the ISSA Southern Conference Under-16 high school basketball title proves that with a proper programme and the right application, schools can still win trophies by developing their own talent.

In recent times, recruiting and transfers have become a major part of the local high-school sports landscape, but Lindo, who led St Catherine's junior team to a 2-1 series win over St George's College at the National Indoor Sports Centre last Friday, says development can still lead to titles.

"I am really proud of these guys because they have been developing for quite a while. Most of them have been together for three, four years, so it's good to know that development can still win championships," he said.

"They have come up gradually through the stages, so that is what I am really proud of. They came up through Under-14 together; last year they lost in the Under-16 semi-finals; and now, this year the hard work had paid off," he told The Gleaner.

In Friday's 59-57 game-three win, Daniel Jones scored 21 points for St Catherine, while Swayveon Henry had 14 points and eight rebounds. Akeem Ellis top-scored for St George's with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

BEATING THE FAVOURITES

"St George's were the favourites as they were unbeaten up to the final. We played them in the zone at their school, and they beat us by ten points, so I knew we could compete against them. After (losing) game two, we changed our tactics," he added.

Meanwhile, the Under-19 final will go to a decisive game three after defending champions Calabar levelled the series 1-1 following a 57-52 win over Camperdown.

Shamar Shand, with a game-high 18 points, and Maliek McCarthy, with 13 points and 12 rebounds, were Calabar's leading players. Kemar Hurd top-scored for Camperdown with 13 points.

Game three will be played tomorrow.