SVG third in CNA U-16 Netball
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has re-emerged in the top tier of the Caribbean Netball Association Under-16 Championships held recently in Antigua and Barbuda.{{more}}
The team returned home last Saturday morning, a tired looking bunch, but with a several awards.
The Vincentian lasses placed third, with a 5-2 win loss record. The losses suffered were at the hands of title holders Jamaica, 34-17, and second place Trinidad and Tobago, 28-14.
However, it was plain sailing against Barbados, 27-24, Dominica, 37-11, Grenada, 31-10, Antigua and Barbuda, 36-5, and closed off against St. Lucia, 27-21.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines earned the award for the Most Accurate Shooting Team, with an average of 80.08 percent, having scored 189 goals from 236 attempts.
In addition, Goal Shooter Mary Ann Frederick (photo right) was the tournamentâs top shooter. She sank 150 goals from her 173 attempts, recording an 86.71 percent shooting accuracy.
Frederick, captain Tonique Bowens, Ruth Ann Williams and Sheldene Joseph were selected to a West Indies provisional squad of sixteen players.
Bowens was adjudged her teamâs Most Valuable Player.
Coach of the team Halimah de Shong heaped praise on young players.
âI was impressed with their level of maturity and their discipline on and off the court. They were good listenersâ, said de Shong, as she battled a sore throat.
âWhen it was time for them to think outside the box, they did, especially in the tight Barbados gameâ, de Shong remarked with some satisfaction.
An optimistic de Shong said she saw in many of the players âfuture leaders and future national playersâ.
She lauded the input of former First Vice President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association Sonja Lewis, whom she said assisted her immensely as an additional deck hand.
Lewis, who attended the CNA congress while in Antigua, stepped down after fourteen years as Secretary of the regional organisation and was honoured for her long service.
Equally satisfied was Manager Cheryl Alexander.
Like de Shong, Alexander was making her national debut in that capacity.
âI am satisfied with the girls. They were excellentâ, Alexander stated.
She singled out the efforts of Bowens and Frederick as those who put their hands up and took charge of the team on court.
Bowens, who played in the Goal Keeper position, Alexander revealed, was outstanding against Jamaica, having to mark the Goal Shooter, who is six feet nine inches tall.
The remainder of the placing showed Barbados finishing fourth, St. Lucia fifth, Grenada sixth, Dominica seventh, and host Antigua and Barbuda, eighth.
When the last tournament was held in Trinidad and Tobago in 2006, St. Vincent and the Grenadines finished sixth. (RT)
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