Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School were crowned Champions of the Super J Ltd Schools Under-16 Basketball Tournament on Tuesday at the Vigie Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, after defeating St Mary’s College 42– 31 in a hard fought and exciting encounter.

It was the second Under-16 Final the Samarians have lost this season. Vieux Fort led in every quarter and at half time the score was 22– 8. However, at the resumption, College came out blazing and went on a 9– 0 run which tilted the balance in their favour. This action was short lived and though they outscored their opponents 12–6, the damage was already done and the quarter ended 28– 20.

The Final quarter was more keenly contested as St Mary’s College went all out on the offensive, only to be thwarted by the solid defence of Vieux Fort, marshalled by their 6’ 3” Centre Philbert Williams.

With seconds remaining, diminutive Jamal Charles, of Vieux Fort Comprehensive ended the game in grand style when he drilled a three pointer from half court right on the buzzer. It was a sweet and rewarding victory for the southern players who in 2008, lost the Finals to Leon Hess Comprehensive.

The main contributors for Vieux Fort were Olvin Presco 14 points, eight rebounds and seven steals; Jamal Charles eight points, eight steals; and Rahim Auguste and Ekon Descartes seven points each; while Philbert Williams chipped in with six points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots.

For St Mary’s College, Kyaan Elivin had 14 points and seven steals.

At the conclusion of the game, the following awards were presented: Most Points, Philbert Williams, Vieux Fort Cmprehensive; Most Steals, Omodele Phillip, St Mary’s College; Most Rebounds, Kraig Brooks, Castries Comprehensive; Most Blocks, Philbert Williams, Vieux Fort Comprehensive; Overall MVP of the Tournament, Philbert Williams; MVP of the Final, Jamal Charles, Vieux Fort Comprehensive. Zonal Winners Group A, Castries Comprehensive Secondary School; Zonal Winners Group B, St Mary’s College; Zonal Winners Group C, Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School.

Meanwhile, the Finals of the Under-19 Tournament took place on Friday at the Vigie Sports Complex between first time finalists George Charles Secondary School and defending champions Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School.