Calabar more balanced - Clarke

Though every year finds him leading a slightly different team, head coach Michael Clarke is expecting five-time consecutive champions Calabar High to go out and defend their ISSA-GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Championships (Champs) title.

According to the many-times winning coach, his team is more balanced and stronger this year, and Clarke is strategising for them to be recognised champions yet again.

Calabar will be looking for a sixth-consecutive title at the March 28 to April 1 championships.

"Yes, we will be hoping to defend successfully. "Like every other camp, we are putting the icing on the cake and we are pretty confident about giving of our best performance," said Clarke.

He was of the view that Calabar will have a more all-round team than last year, however.

HIGH HOPES

When asked by The Gleaner, if the Red Hills Road-based school could be stronger than arch-rivals Kingston College and others, Clarke was sure they will pose a big threat.

"Yes. The fact that we have a more all-round team, makes us definitely stronger in most areas," he explained.

When pressed, who would win Champs Clarke said he is not a fan of predictions.

"Well, that would be a crystal ball to be correct. Everybody who lines up has a chance," he reasoned.

Last year, Calabar amassed 287.5 points and had behind them their fierce rivals Kingston College on 250 with Jamaica College third with 227.5 points.

Despite Calabar's nearly 40-point margin of victory, Clarke is not expecting an easy victory this week.

"KC has a very good team, we will see at the end of the meet, no predictions from me, my crystal ball broke years ago," he joked.

Clarke stressed that his charges will be aiming to defend their title.

"There are no comfort areas, all our areas are going to be competitive, and we will rise to the challenge and seek to get the best out of our guys," he added.