Micoud Secondary are U19 Netball Champions

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Inter Secondary U19 Netball Tournament came to an end on Friday at the Vigie Multi-Purpose Complex, with Micoud Secondary School emerging as champions having defeated St Joseph’s Convent (SJC) in the final.

SJC got to the final after defeating defending champions Soufriere Comprehensive, in a close encounter which went down to the wire.

The other finalist Micoud made light work of Castries Comprehensive to secure a spot in the final.  Soufriere Comprehensive, SJC and Micoud have dominated netball in the last decade with all being past champions over the same period.

Soufriere Comprehensive made light work of Castries Comprehensive to secure the third place title on the day.

In the grand final Micoud Secondary defeated SJC in a nail-hitting encounter to be crowned Champions for 2018/2019. Below is a summary of scores from the finals which Micoud Secondary won over SJC 31-27.

For Micoud Secondary, goal shoot Semaj Marguerite scored 19 from 33 attempts and goal attack Jermia Sonson netted 12 from 20 attempts.

For SJC, goal shoot Trenice St Croix made 14 from 33 attempts and goal attack Gracy Alcide registered 13 from 23 attempts.

Although his team played well throughout the tournament Micoud Coach, Donald Albert did not take anything for granted. Following the final he said: “We knew first of all it would be a very competitive game. We know Convent played Shamfest and a lot of tournaments in town. Our students did not have that kind of exposure before. But that did not matter, as we did a lot of coaching from the bench.”

Micoud seems to have everything in place for another championship. Albert told me: “We have been consistent over the

years. Our team is very young one. The majority of the students are in Form Two which means that at the Under 19 level, we will have a long run with this very same team.”

Prior to the brief medal presentation ceremony Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports and former President of Netball St Lucia, Liota Charlemagne – Mason congratulated the teams.

“I know it has been a long road for you but emerged as the best four team from the tournament,” said Mason – Charlemagne. “Today we witnessed two very good games in the semifinals and finals. Let me congratulate Micoud our newly crowned champions and St Joseph’s Convent for putting up a very good fight as well.”

Mason – Charlemagne feels this is just the beginning for the young ladies and urged them to continue playing netball.

She told them: “It is encouraging to see so many of you playing the game, but I want to encourage you that outside of your school there are clubs you need to get affiliated to in order to improve on your game. There is quite a bit of talent among you. You need to harness that talent and don’t let it get away. Get involved in clubs so that you can continue to play the game and improve.