Players up their game in the National Junior Squash Tournament

Local junior squash players descended on the National Squash Centre in Paul’s Avenue with much anticipation of the pending contest. It was Thursday, March 1, and the first event on the 2012 squash calendar was about to unfold. Twenty-five players ranging from age 11 to 19 took to the courts to display their skills during the three days of competition.{{more}}

The U-11 category players warmed the hearts of all as the determined newcomers showed their parents what they learned during the Saturday Programme. The much anticipated U13 boys match between Kai Bentick and Rashid Constance did not disappoint. Both boys played at a level beyond their tender age of 10 years. Third was Don-Austin Moss. Thandi Myers easily retained the U13 Girls title and also placed second in the U15 Girls, playing above her age level. The U15 Boys category was easily won by 2010 Caribbean U13 Champion Jason Doyle. He completed the double by winning the U17 Boys title as well. Second was Akeem Constance and third was Kai Bentick in the U15 category; second in the U17 Boys was Omari Wilson. Seasoned campaigner Demi Ollivierre captured the U15 Girls title, by passing the Myers sisters. Demi was later stopped by Gianna Miller-Alexander who captured the U17 Girls, beating Demi into second position, with Deiriai Myers placing third. National Champion and member of the OECS Men’s Team, current holders of the Caribbean Mens Title, Kevin Hannaway effortlessly dispensed with his challengers to win the U19 Boys title. Second was Romario Constance and third was Eshwan Adams. Gianna Miller-Alexander had to put in more work for her win over Kalina Browne and Demi Ollivierre in the U19 Girls category.

The curtains came down on the Championships on Saturday afternoon with the presentation of trophies and medals. A squad was selected to go into five weeks of training after which the Junior National Team will be selected to represent SVG in the 2012 OECS Junior Championships scheduled for St Lucia in April. National Coach James Bentick will conduct the training sessions.

The players selected for training are: U13 – Rashid Constance, Kai Bentick, Lauryn Doyle and Thandi Myers; U15 – Akeem Constance, Jason Doyle, Deiriai Myers and Demi Ollivierre; U17 – Maurice Robertson, Omari Wilson, Gianna Miller-Alexander; U19 – Eshwan Adams, Romario Constance, Kevin Hannaway, Kalina Browne.