Western Kings! - Herbert Morrison sweep basketball titles

Herbert Morrison Technical High (HMTH) made it four straight titles on Friday when they swept the ISSA/Western Conference Basketball Under-16 and 19 Championships 2-0 in the best-of-three series finals at the MoBay Cricket Club.

Dave 'Puey' Black, coach of both the HMTH U-16 and U-19 teams, said the feeling is great especially with three invincible runs in a row for the seniors.

"It feels great especially knowing that you have a new under-19 team this year and they come out with an undefeated season. It speaks for the school in general and also us as a team seeing the young players stepping up and playing just as good," said Black.

In the under-16 finals, the HMTH team got the better of William Knibb 47-33 in a low- scoring encounter after taking the first leg 60-45 last Wednesday. Rhondane Ashman of William Knibb was named MVP, despite his team placing second.

HMTH's under-19 team dismissed Spot Valley High School 70-55 on Friday after a marginal 69-65 win last Wednesday with HMTH's Alek Gilchrist being named as the competition's MVP.

MOTIVATION

"All these guys have been playing basketball from age 12 so the school keep on producing good teams over the years," said Black, adding that motivation is the hardest part of coaching his players.

"The biggest problem I find is getting the guys to have the passion for the sport. Once they have developed that passion from age 12, 13 or 14, coaching becomes easier as the athlete gets to love the game."

Black believes that they can take the all-island championships in less than two weeks' time and is hoping the players can play with confidence when that time comes.

"I think the confidence is riding high, the guys believe in themselves and their teammates so if they just go out there and play (with confidence) we can come out victorious.

"I think with the confidence and leadership the senior players show, if they can lead from the front on both the offensive and defensive side of the court, we will have a good chance of winning the all-island this year,"

In the third-place play-offs, Cornwall College got the better of Rhodes Hall High School 53-42 in the Under-16, while for the under-19 section Muschett High outclassed Holland High 61-12.