The wait is over now. Foundation has done it at long last. That ever-elusive girls’ basketball title finally is heading up to Church Hill after Foundation survived Tower Lorde’s game-high 30 points to shock tournament favourites St Michael 74-67 in Monday’s final at the Barbados Community College.
It was a truly historic moment in the school’s history, as Foundation managed to lift its first ever schoolgirl hoops trophy in front of national players and noted alumni Toni Atherley and Jennifer Joseph-Hackett.
But the occasion wasn’t so grand on the other side of the floor for a St Michael side that had to endure a second successive championship-game defeat despite entering the final unbeaten again.
And they were very nearly routed out too after falling behind by as many as 15 points (70-55) following Donne Clarke’s big surge off the bench.
Clinging to a 58-55 lead, Clarke put an end to a menacing St Michael by coming up with a crucial steal and converting into a runner banker as the beginning of one huge 12-0 Foundation.
She then returned to score three straight free throws before fellow senior Lady Trident guards Tatyana Walrond and Stephian Shepherd followed soon after with a floater and three-pointer respectively.
St Michael didn’t go quietly though, using stifling full court pressure to force much-needed turnovers that led to baskets for Zahra Ashby and Xhane Greenidge.
Lorde got in on the act too, picking off a loose ball that she took all the way to the hole before Ashby hit a short jumper to make the contest a two-possession game (71-65) with 50 seconds left.
However, Walrond squashed the run with a crucial layup and Clarke then put the game out of reach by splitting free throws.
It was St Michael’s second such rally in that quarter alone, as Foundation threatened to go up double digits just moments earlier when Chante Moore opened the period with a put-back.
Clarke then cut for an easy layup too before Moore returned to score a pair from the line to give Foundation a menacing 58-51 advantage.
But St Michael cut the deficit to only one score after Ashby responded with a drive prior to Alesha Squires’ long jumper (58-55).
That was all too reminiscent of a first half where neither side led by more than six points while trading baskets back and forth in one frantic championship contest.
Lorde proved almost unstoppable in the paint at one point, feasting on the offensive boards to the tune of ten first-quarter points.
Foundation always stood within striking distance though, as Walrond continually streaked down the right side for fast-break layups while finals MVP Shepherd added floaters and the odd jumper.
The game featured almost as many lead changes as made baskets in a thrilling contest fitting for a featured final.
Shepherd finished with 18 points, Walrond had 17, Moore scored 13 and Clarke ended with ten.
Ashby assisted Lorde with 16 points for St Michael. (JM)
