Hydel, STATHS in Under-19 semis

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Hydel and St Andrew Technical High (STATHS) booked their spots in the semi-finals of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/KFC Southern Conference Under-19 Basketball competition, following exciting victories over Jamaica College (JC) and Campion College, respectively, in quarter-final action at the National Stadium Courts yesterday.

Hydel, semi-finalists in last year's competition, recorded a comfortable 57-44 victory over the previously unbeaten JC.

Paul Richards led the way for the Ferry-based Hydel with a game-high 23 points and 17 rebounds. Hydel led 34-21 at half-time and 37-29 at the end of the third period.

Richards received solid support from Jervis Hamilton 16 points and six steals and Brian Martin, who scored nine points. Alex Robinson (13) and James McDonald (eight) and 11 rebounds scored most points for the JC.

Kurt Stewart, coach of Hydel, was pleased with his team's performance.

"It was a good game from us because the boys had to fight very hard to win it," said Stewart.

"We also had some minor injuries in the game and so we had to slow down the tempo to keep the boys fresh for the fourth quarter and this worked out for us because we were able to dominate the last quarter," Stewart added.

Staths unbeaten

STATHS, who are the only unbeaten team remaining in the competition, secured their path to the semi-finals, with an exciting 55-43 win over Campion College. Ricardo Greaves was the main scorer for the Venreece Watson-coached STATHS with a game-high 18 points. He received support from Lamont Lindsay 14 points and eight assists. Ajaun Burton (13) and Leeken Brown (nine) were the leading scorers for Campion.

However, despite the victory Greaves said he was not satisfied with his team's efforts.

"I think that we could have done much better because in our preparations over the Christmas, we have shown that we are much better than what we showed today," Greaves said.

Meanwhile, defending Under-16 champions Ardenne secured their place in the last four with a close 35-31 with over Tivoli Gardens. In the day's other Under-16 game, St Jago edged Vauxhall 43-42.