The Bajan Gems were totally outplayed by a bigger, faster and fitter Jamaican team and had to settle for their lowest placing of third in the Jean Pierre Under-16 Netball Tournament when the 17th edition climaxed Wednesday night at the Vigie Multi-Sports Complex, Castries.
Playing a must-win match against perennial queens Jamaica, the Gems could not match the speed, aggression or accuracy of their opponents, trailing 4-9, 7-19 and 12-29 before losing 15-36.
Stifling defence saw Jada Smith scoring just nine goals from 19 shots while Chiara Chase made six of 12. On the other hand, Jamaica’s Tafiya Hunter shot 19 of 28 and Kelsey Jonas sank 17 of 22 for the Caribbean queens to win their 14th Under-16 crown and sixth in succession.
Hosts St Lucia, who drew their match with the Gems, took the second spot with a better goal average.
Coach Julie Phillips summed up the non-performance in the critical match as a result of a lack of discipline.
“We matched the Jamaicans in the first few minutes but that lack of discipline where we did not stick to the game plan and what we have been working on and talking about affected our play,” Phillips said.
“Inexperience also played a role tonight as this team is very new and we did not get in the months of training that we would normally use. We exposed the players to watching other games but it is something totally different when they have to take to the court.
“Although the bronze may be a let down somewhat, we are happy with the growth of many of the players and grateful for overall performance and the third placing”.
The tough Acacia Small was voted Barbados’ MVP and she, Shonica Griffith and Dalia Knight were selected on the roster of the tournament’s 16 top players. Small, along with captain Janine Forde, Jada Smith and Kelissa Kelly, will graduate from the Under-16 programme.
Against Jamaica, the Gems had started with Smith and Chase shooting, Cherese Small and Acacia in the defence circle, Kimani Archer at wing defence, captain Forde at wing defence and Shonica Griffith running the centre. After matching the Jamaicans up to 4-4, the Gems faded horribly.
While the Jamaicans threaded the ball smoothly through the Gems’ players, creating an artwork of awesome skills and execution, Barbados were splintered by a stifling blanket of defence, which often caused them to pass the ball back or away. At times Smith was left idling in the circle as the ball never reached past the centre court.
Any hopes of a fightback dissipated with five turnovers in the second quarter. Teniele Chapman-Goodluck replacing Cherese, Julisa Jones-Smith taking Forde’s wing defence, Archer assuming the centre and Griffith switching to wing attack did not change the Gems’ fortunes.
The deficit moved into double digits, with the Jamaicans leading by as many as 17 goals. Forde was tried at goal keeper in the final quarter but an eight-minute interruption due to rain with 24 seconds left on the clock proved to be a mere delay of an inevitable execution which the Jamaicans celebrated after the restart with joyful dancing in the rain.
The last tournament held in Barbados in 2016 saw the Jamaicans also defeating the Gems in the final match. The Gems were the last team to deny the Jamaicans the title back in 2005. (KB)
