The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

COACH Keno Demeritte feels his Temple Christian Suns will get to shine again in their fourth annual basketball tournament. But he realises that it’s not going to be as easy as it was in the past. He admitted that they are going to have their work cut out for them.

As the week-long tournament got underway Monday night at the Temple Christian Gymnasium, the Suns got out-shined 4-2 by Carlton E Francis girls in the opening game. But the Suns came back and took it out on Freedom Baptist Academy with a 15-3 rout in the final game on day one.

In between the pair of girls’ games, St Thomas More Sparks clobbered Freedom Academy 31-2, Carlton E Francis took care of Temple Christian B, but Temple Christian A came back and got revenge with a 31-5 blowout over Carlton E Francis B.

“The first day was real exciting. I think the level of competition is really high on both the boys and girls side,” said Demeritte, who doubles as tournament director and coach of the Suns teams. “We see more that there is no clear winners of the tournament. Any of the teams could win the tournament.”

As for his Suns, Demeritte said he was pleased with his boys, although they have to brush up on a few things, especially on the defensive end.

With the girls, he admitted that because he’s going through a rebuilding stage, they have a lot of work to do, but that will come with time.

Sherman Smith, coach of Carlton E Francis, said they are ready for the challenge this year.

“I feel pretty good about our performance today. Our B boys team is made up of players from grade one, so I’m grooming them for when the A team moves off the scene,” he said.

“This year, I expect my girls to win the tournament. I’ve discovered over the years that the primary boys could play basketball, so you have to really come to play. You can’t just say you come to play.”

Here’s a summary of the games played yesterday:

Carlton E Francis 4,

Temple Christian 2

Kevonique Davis and Aaliyah Henfield both scored two points to secure the win. Sherelle Higgs had the only two points in the loss. However, Temple Christian had an opportunity to at least cut the deficit to one or tie the score at the end of the game, but they missed both free throws.

St Thomas More 31,

Freedom Academy 2

Jaden Strachan and Brian Carey connected on 11 and nine points respectively to pace the Sparks to victory. Cedric Farrington had the only two in the loss.

Carlton E Francis 14,

Temple Christian B 5

Kirkwood Sweeting canned a game high eight and Aaron Brown chipped in with four in the win. Taleo Bethel and Matthew Simms had three and two in the loss.

Temple Christian a 31,

Carlton E Francis B 5

In what resembled “David vs Goliath,” the Suns used their height to swamp past the smaller opponents to easily win this one, led by Lamar Watkins’ 10. Nathan Allen had six, Trey Fowler five and Nathan Moss four. Solomon Smith had four in the loss.

Temple Christian 15, Freedom Academy 3

After a rough and tough outing in the first three quarters, Freedom Academy lost two players to foul trouble and ended up playing with just four. The Suns took advantage as they went on an offensive tear, pulling away from a 5-3 lead to hold their opponents scoreless. Laurel Rolle had six, Sherelle Higgs four and Seana McCartney two in the win. Alisha Duncombe had two and Esther Pierre one in the loss.

THE SCHEDULE

Today

3:30pm

Palmdale Primary vs Temple Christian B

Freedom Academy vs Carlton E Francis (G)

Kingsway Academy vs St Thomas More

Temple Christian A vs Carlton E Francis B

Carlton E Francis vs Temple Christian (G)

St Thomas More vs Freedom Academy

Wednesday

3:30pm

Carlton E Francis B vs Temple Christian A

Temple Christian vs Freedom Academy (G)

Carlton E Francis A vs Palmdale Primary

Freedom Academy vs Kingsway Academy

Freedom Academy vs Carlton E Francis (G)

Queen’s College vs Carlton E Francis B