Though disappointed by their opening loss in the Caribbean Netball Association (CNA) Jean Pierre Under-16 Championships to Barbados, national junior captain Kelelicia George and her teammates did not let that prevent them from bouncing back to beat Bermuda, 35-15, at the YMCA court in Antigua on Sunday evening.
George, playing in the goal-attack bib, gave great support to goal-shooter Jillisa Briggs, feeding her shooter well while adding 15 goals from 20 attempts in the win. Briggs, meanwhile, lit up the net with a leading 20 from 29 as T&T led from the first pass.
In the first quarter, the junior "Calypso Girls" held a 10-3 advantage, improving their lead to 23-5 at halftime. There was a drop in intensity in the third period with the local netballers only three goals compared to Bermuda's five (26-10). However, they recovered well in the fourth and final period to claim the 20-goal victory.
It was a much-improved performance by the local team, which is being coached by Velma Hazelwood, following its opening 35-22 loss to Barbados. Manager Coreen Davis was in high praise of the T&T unit, whom last year placed fourth in the youth tournament.
She said, "Our young 'Calypso Girls' found their rhythm and were able to push past the opening day jitters to win the second game against Bermuda. Their opponents won the game on Saturday against Grenada by one point and were not to be underestimated. The coaches understood what was needed and the girls followed the plan."
For the Bermudans, Asrael Basden topped their scoring with eight from 13. Yesterday in the morning session Bermuda suffered its second straight loss, falling to Barbados 41-11. In the other early match, Grenada was edged by unbeaten St Lucia 23-22.
Last evening, the T&T netballers, who have former national netball captain Lystra Solomon-Simmons as their assistant coach, were scheduled to face Dominica and today against the St Lucians in the opening match of a triple-header.
"Now that they have tasted victory, we expect them to be quite competitive throughout the remaining games of the tournament," said David ahead of the national netballers match against the Dominicans, who have the same win-loss record as T&T. Dominica won its first match against Antigua & Barbuda (40-11) and was defeated by Barbados (33-12).
Results
Sunday
T&T 35 (Jillisa Briggs 20/29, Kelelicia George 15/20) vs Bermuda 15 (Asrael Basden 8/13, Selah Tuzo 2/3, A'Maiah Butterfield 5/6). Quarter scores: 1st. 10-3, 2nd. 23-5, 3rd. 26-10 (All in favour of T&T).
Antigua & Barbuda 9 (Alexia Lovelace 0/2, Talisa St Louis 1/3, Keana Aska 1/3, Shemiah Pacquette 7/7) vs Grenada 26 (Kalidah Andrew 17/26, Celina Brown 9/13). Quarter scores: 1st. 3-0, 2nd. 10-3, 3rd. 21-4 (All in favour of St Lucia).
Barbados 33 (Sumara Benn 24/29, Chiara Chase 9/12) vs Dominica 12 (Trenese Hamilton 10/19, Etheline Telemaque 2/6). Quarter scores: 1st. 8-4, 2nd. 18-8, 3rd. 26-10 (All in favour of Barbados).
Yesterday (morning session)
Barbados 41 vs Bermuda 11
Grenada 22 vs St Lucia 23
Matches
Today
St Lucia vs T&T, 6.15 pm
Dominica vs Grenada, 6.30 pm
Antigua & Barbuda vs Bermuda, 7.15 pm
Tomorrow
Dominica vs St Lucia, 6.15 pm
Barbados vs Grenada, 6.30 pm
Antigua & Barbuda vs T&T, 7.15 pm
Thursday
Grenada vs T&T, 5.30 pm
Bermuda vs Dominica, 5.45 pm
St Lucia vs Barbados, 6.45 pm