Fri | Dec 20, 2024

ISSA/Western Basketball: Herbert Morrison dethrone Mt Alvernia

Published:Saturday | April 22, 2023 | 1:09 AMAshley Anguin/Gleaner Writer
Dandreika Whittingham (front left) of Herbert Morrison Technical High School collects the winning trophy from Jennifer Williams, ISSA Chair of Basketball at the ISSA/Western Conference Girls Basketball 2023 Finals at Cornwall College yesterday. Herbert Mor
Ashley Anguin
Dandreika Whittingham (front left) of Herbert Morrison Technical High School collects the winning trophy from Jennifer Williams, ISSA Chair of Basketball at the ISSA/Western Conference Girls Basketball 2023 Finals at Cornwall College yesterday. Herbert Morrison defeated Mount Alvernia 50-11.

Western Bureau:

Herbert Morrison Technical High School did a demolition job on defending champions Mount Alvernia High yesterday at the Cornwall College courts, in Montego Bay, thrashing them 50-11 to crown themselves the 2023 ISSA/Western Conference girls’ basketball champions.

“Since the COVID-19 pandemic ended, the girls have been training, so that gave us an edge over the teams who have just started,” said Dave Black, the coach of the Herbert Morrison team, which was dominant throughout the various phases of the competition.

It was almost a done deal within the first two minutes as Herbert Morrison rushed to an imposing 10-0 lead, which effectively made the first quarter, which ended 18-3, a no-contest as the former champions struggled to come to grips with their slick opponents.

With Herbert Morrison solid in defence with numerous blocks and steals, Mount Alvernia were forced to endure non-stop pressure as they were outscored 7-4 in the second quarter, which ended with them trailing 25-7.

In the third quarter, Herbert Morrison went on a 15-0 run, keeping their opponents scoreless, setting the stage for the massive 40-11 lead which made the final quarter a mere formality.

As was expected, Herbert Morrison, who have now qualified for the all-island play-off, coasted through the final quarter, winning it 10-4 for their overall 50-11.

Dandreika Whittingham was the undisputed star for Herbert Morrison as she emerged as the most valuable player (MVP) of the season. She finished the game with 18 points, three rebounds, seven steals, three assists, and one block.

Delroy Campbell, the coach of Mount Alvernia High School, said that, despite the heavy defeat, he was still proud of his team.

“This is a new team, most of the players are in the seventh grade. We are the defending champions but the players who were here before are now gone,” said Campbell. “There are players on the team that have not played basketball for a year, so kudos to them for coming this far. They did an excellent job.”