Young Sunshine Girls coach happy with Island Vibes performances

COACH OF Jamaica’s under-16 netball team, Nardia Hanson, is singing the praises of her girls after closing out the Island Vibes series against Trinidad and Tobago’s under-16s 2-0 on Sunday inside the National Arena.

The Jamaicans won 42-16 following their 40-13 win two days earlier at the Leila Robinson Courts.

The Trinidadians also suffered a 2-0 defeat, their under-18 team, going down 38-15 against Denbigh High.

“I am pleased with the performances of the girls over both games. I think they were a bit jittery in the first game as they were a bit excited. Game two they were more comfortable and they did well,” said Hanson.

She did not think they were able to display their best netball because of the weakness of the opposition.

“They did well but I do not think they were really tested by their opponents as I think they can do a real better job. I think they have a lot more to give as they are young and fearless and I am certain they can go all the way,” said Hanson.

The young Sunshine Girls will take a break from the national programme to represent their respective teams in the ISSA schoolgirl competitions, which begin tomorrow.

Led by goal shooter, Kaelyn-Kendra Smith, who scored 25 goals from 27 attempts, the Jamaicans were dominant from the start, racing to an 11-4 first-quarter lead and added 12 more goals in the second quarter to lead 23-17 going into the half-time break.

Though the Trinidadians had their best performance in the third quarter, scoring seven goals, the Jamaicans still had a healthy 33-14 lead going into the final quarter. The Jamaicans closed out the game with nine goals to Trinidad’s two to end 42-16 winners.

Goal attack Kheresa Pecco with nine from 11 and Kalee Martin with eight from nine supported Smith. Goal attack Tenicia Goodrich with a perfect six from six and goal shooter McKayla Grant also with six goals from 10 attempts were the top scorers for Trinidad.

In the opening game, the Winston Nevers-coached Denbigh had another easy win over the Trinidad under-18s, after their 36-18 triumph two days earlier.

Denbigh had quarterly scores of 10-7, 18-9, 29-14, and 38-15.

Goal shooter Reniece Williams with 28 goals from 40 attempts top-scored for Denbigh, while goal shooter Crisada Wignall and goal-attack Abigail Williams chipped in with five goals each. Goal shooter Akesi Quashie with seven from 10 attempts was top scorer for Trinidad.