This one’s for George - JC refocused on Manning Cup title after death of team ally

Following a difficult week for Jamaica College (JC), head coach Davion Ferguson said that they are mentally prepared to continue their quest to retain the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup title.

JC will face Charlie Smith in the semi-finals at Stadium East today at 1 p.m. with the goal of reaching back-to-back finals for the first time under Ferguson, who is coaching in his second season.

It has been a difficult period lately for the Dark Blues as they are mourning the death of George Israel, who was a figure of support for the programme. The news came ahead of their Champions Cup quarter-final win over Garvey Maceo on Wednesday. While it has not been easy for the team, Ferguson said they are in a better mental frame of mind and are committed to their pursuit of another title.

"We have been doing better," he said. "Team manager Ian Forbes, he and I gathered the group after the game and we tried to have a little vigil for him. We tried our best to let them understand the life that he lived.

"We have gotten better in terms of handling the situation. But it is always going to be there. But we are not looking at it as an excuse or a hindrance for us to move forward and to execute our objectives."

It is the constant presence of Israel that Ferguson said that the team valued the most, as the team's biggest supporter, whether travelling to the games or assisting in providing refreshment or equipment.

But Ferguson said that their togetherness will motivate them to capture the title despite the loss.

"We are doing it for ourselves first and the institution that we represent, and by extension, everyone that is attached to Jamaica College," he said. "That is is the reason for us being here and that is the reason that we will move forward as a group."

St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) will hope to continue their unexpected deep run when they face Kingston College in the second semi-final at 3:15 p.m. With no expectations on their season in a rebuilding year, STATHS head coach Philip Williams says that they are not resting on their laurels.

"It's a young team, yes, but we have not short-changed their preparation, neither have they cheated their training," he said. "Their preparation is good. It's an achievement to get to the semi-final but it would be a better achievement to get by this KC team and get to the final."