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Holmwood, XLCR battle for regional title

Published:Friday | July 20, 2018 | 12:00 AMRobert Bailey/Gleaner Writer
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Lionel Rookwood
Springer Memorial's Sierra Coward (left) puts pressure on Holmwood Technical's Ryoho Jones during their semi-final matchup of the AFNA Champions of Champions High School Netball Tournament at the Leila Robinson Court yesterday. Holmwood won 45-14.
Lionel Rookwood
Excelsior's Latian Stewart (right) catches an aerial pass during their semi-final matchup of the AFNA Champions of Champions High School Netball Tournament held at the Leila Robinson Court yesterday. Excelsior defeated Barbados' Christchurch Foundation 61-42.
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A pulsating encounter is expected today when national all-island champions Excelsior High School and Holmwood Technical meet in the final of the Americas Federation of Netball Associations (AFNA) Champion of Champions High Schools Netball Tournament at the Leila Robinson Courts starting at 5:00 p.m.

In the curtain raiser of the double-header, Christchurch Foundation and Springer Memorial both of Barbados will meet in the third place play-off at 3:00 p.m.

The match between Excelsior and Holmwood is a repeat of last year's all-island final, which saw Excelsior coming out on top.

The Christopher Smart-coached Excelsior, who have been very impressive in the competition, secured their place in the final with an easy 61-42 win over Christchurch Foundation yesterday.

National senior representative Hasana Williams, led the way for Excelsior with 44 goals from 55 attempts. She received support from Racoya Douglas, who scored 17 goals from 28 tries.

Chiara Chase was the main scorer for Christchurch with 19 goals from 25 attempts.

 

Expecting competitive game

 

Smart said he is expecting a very competitive game from his opponents, but he is confident that they will secure the victory.

"We anticipated playing Holmwood in this final and we are looking forward to it because it is going to be a very exciting final," Smart said.

"We beaten in the all-island final last year and I think our team is a much better than we played them last year and so I am confident that we will come out on top in final," Smart said.

Along with Williams and Douglas, Excelsior will also be looking at Kamia Dailey, Crystal Crawford and Taina Rodney to lead their charge to victory.

On the other hand, the Carline Graham-Powell-coached Holmwood, who have also been very impressive in the competition, secured their spot in the final with an easy 45-14 victory over Springer Memorial yesterday.

Graham said she is confident that they can turn the tables on their opponents in this final.

"We are not a team the crumbled because we played Excelsior over six months ago and we have a totally different team now and so we are ready for this final," said Graham.

"The girls are very confident and so I expected them to put on a good showing in this final," Graham-Powell.

Holmwood will be led by Shadine Bartley, who scored 27 goals from 37 attempts in their semi-final win over Springer yesterday. She is expected to receive good support from Aliah Lue Sasha-Gay Forbes and Kimberly Gordon.