JC surprise Campion to reach ISSA U16 Basketball finals

JAMAICA College (JC), on Thursday, became the first team to advance to the finals of the ISSA Urban Under-16 Schoolboys Basketball competition. The Duane Cunningham-coached team, playing at home, got past Campion College 60-51 in their second semifinal game to win the series 2-0.

JC, who surprised their opponents 69-67 playing away in the first game two days earlier, will now await the winners of the other semifinal series. Wolmer’s Boys, playing at home, got the better of St George’s College 71-61 to tie their series at 1-1 after being beaten 80-72 in the first game. The deciding third game will be played at St George’s College on Monday.

The Jamaica College/Campion encounter was close throughout, as the scores were level at 13-13 at the end of the first quarter. Things remained unchanged at half-time, with both teams going into the break tied at 30-30.

Campion came out more positive in the third quarter, outscoring their opponents 17-14 to take a 47-44 lead going into the final stanza.

Led by Tyler Ferny with 19 points, it was all Jamaica College in the final quarter as they outscored Campion 16-8 to secure a five-point win in the end. Jaeden Vassel, with 19 points and 11 rebounds, was the top performer for Campion.

Coach Cunningham was overjoyed with his team’s victory. “I am extremely delighted with the win and the aim now is to get two teams to the finals,” said Cunningham, whose under-19 team is also in the semifinals.

“Campion are really a very good team and to get the win over them the guys had to play really hard. After that effort they can now relax and await their opponents in the finals. We want to win both titles. It does not matter who we play in the finals. Both teams beat us earlier in the competition but our boys are on a high right now,” Cunningham added.