Hydel secure last-eight spot

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Hydel High secured the final quarter-final spot in the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/KFC Under-19 urban area basketball competition, following their 113-55 thrashing of Papine in Zone Two on Thursday on their school's court.

The win placed Hydel fourth in the zone with 11 points, three behind leaders and unbeaten St Andrew Technical, 14. Former champions St George's College finished second in the zone with 13 points, ahead of Meadowbrook, 12.

Defending champions Ardenne High were sent packing from the competition after they failed to advance to the quarter-finals, finishing sixth in the Zone One.

The Zone Two quarter-finalists are Calabar High, Jamaica College, Kingston College and Campion College.

The Kurt Stewart-coached Hydel romped to their massive victory, courtesy of shooting guard Paul Richards' season-high 42 points and 14 rebounds. Richards also made five three pointers for Hydel, who led 66-20 at half-time.

Solid support

Richards received solid support from Jervis Hamilton, 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Jhovon Redman 20 points, six steals and seven assists.

"It was a good all-round team performance from my players because we had a game plan and the boys stuck to it well, and therefore we were able to come away easy winners," said Stewart.

"I think we have a good team going into the quarter-finals because once we play as a unit, then I believe that we stand a great chance of advancing to the semi-finals of this competition," Stewart said.

Avone Bailey, 31 points, and Akeem Wilburgh, 16 points, were the main scorers for the Papine, who failed to win a match in this year's competition.

Meanwhile, in the Under-16 competition, defending champions Ardenne, St Jago, St George's College, Meadowbrook, Tivoli Gardens and Calabar are the early quarter-final qualifiers. The final two spots will be decided next week.