HC queens secure NSC 3x3 Girls title

IT WAS evident from the moment the team stepped on the court, that Harrison College (HC) came to win and that is exactly what they did, claiming the 2022 National Sports Council (NSC) Schools 3x3 Open Girls Basketball title, defeating The St. Michael School (SMS) at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex yesterday.
After a long and what many considered a painful break from the basketball courts, Harrison College returned to the court with a vengeance, taking complete control and dominating the 3x3 tournament final, 8-0. Leading from the front, former national player and veteran Kolij star player Rebecca Simpson put up 5 points in the final, with heavy support by her teammates Alissa Kinch, who had 2 and Rheanna Griffin with 1.
SMS and HC were the two top teams out of nine which participated in the exciting competition, blanking both their opponents in the semi-finals. SMS defeated St George Secondary 3-0 while HC took down The Lodge School 6-0. Unfortunately for Danielle Holder, Destiny Yarde, Alala Moore and Quinielle Weekes of SMS, they were on the receiving end in the final matchup.
Simpson said it felt great to not just be on the court but to do their best and win.
“It is not a surprise for us because at the beginning of the match I told them they are not scoring any points and that is exactly what happened. That was the game plan from the beginning and we executed that perfectly,” said Simpson after the final.
“SMS is a physical team and for us we just kept up our intensity because before the game we did some sprints and we came in and out ran them, so we are feeling good about that,” she added.
Today the 3x3 competition continues with the final going down on the boys side of things, as the Boys U16 and U20 battles take place. Twenty-five secondary school teams registered for the tournament and if the physicality and competitive atmosphere from yesterday continues, today will be intense.
Speaking to The Barbados Advocate, NSC Coach Zahir Motara, explained that the turnout for the competition boded well for the future of schools basketball. He explained that both the boys and girls were eager to get back onto the court.
“This is good for basketball because of all the teams that showed interest. We would have liked to have gotten more teams, especially those that usually participate in the tournament. The number of teams was high but that was because it is a 3x3 so a number of schools had more than one team entered into the tournament,” said the NSC Coach.
Relating specifically to the girls tournament Motara said that the NSC was pleasantly surprised at the turnout by the girls and it allowed for a competitive tournament to be played on Day 1. The NSC also is hoping that the turnout by the schools would transition into the NSC Summer Camp coming up, and more of the student athletes would attend to continue training, learning and competing throughout the summer break. (AS)