Gillezeau excels at KFC Junior Squash

Some exceptional racket work from Jacob Gillezeau saw him cop four victories on the first day of the KFC Junior Squash Open round robin tournament on Thursday at the Cascadia Squash Club. The four-day event ends tomorrow and serves as the qualifying event for the upcoming Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Championships. Matches are played in a best of five Point-a-Rally (PAR) to 11 format. Gillezeau was unsurpassed in the Under-19 category, beating Alex Mackay (11-9, 11-6, 11-3) and Jacob Ammon (11-4, 11-6, 11-3) among the boys. Gillezeau continued his fine form in the mixed category, adding two more victories to his name by defeating Talia Abdool (11-3, 14-12, 11-3) and Emily Farah (11-6, 11-4, 11-3). Reigning national U-19 champion Charlotte Knaggs grabbed two easy victories as she completely dominated her opening match in the girls U-17 category against Brianna Winford, taking the game 11-1, 11-4, 11-2. Knaggs then faced national U-17 champion, Angelique Jackson, who put up a great fight in their first set, going under by just two points 11-9. But Knaggs was relentless in the other two sets, taking her second win of the day in fine style 11-3, 11-2.

 

National U-15 champion Faith Gillezeau clobbered Amanda Jackson in their girls U-15 match, winning the first two sets 11-1 and the third 11-3. Defending national girls U-13 champion, Gabriella Scott, conceded defeat to Marie Claire Barcant in their match, the sets went down 11-7, 11-3, 11-3. Barcant will be looking to continue her winning ways when she faces Alexandria Yearwood today. Today will also see the crowning of the boys U-13 champion as the final is expected to be played at 12.30 pm. Patrick brothers Mandela and Nku, who made their debuts in the U-19 and U-17 categories respectively, are the favourites to win their categories. In today’s fixtures Mandela, who is the national U-17 champion, will face Alex Mackay plus he will be seeking to bring Gillizeau’s winning streak to a halt. 

The younger Patrick, who is the national U-15 champ, will be challenged by Luke Asiu and Christian Edghill. Asiu was punished in his matches on Thursday, losing to Darnell Gittens (6-11, 4-11, 7-11) and Edghill (0-11, 0-11, 1-11).