BHS female duo set to make history … eye U-16 CBC championships
Kesann Charles with the jumpshot
Kesann Charles with the jumpshot

By Daniel Haynes

WHAT do you get when you mix heart, dedication, talent and perseverance together? You get Kesann Charles and Jayla Jones – the Bishops’ High School female duo who have made a school programne proud.

Bishops’ High School has been a steady face on the school basketball circuit over the last four years, with a programme under coach Deborah Solomon, who took over in 2013. The team has always featured male players, and understandably has produced a number of athletes who have represented Guyana at international level.

Jayla Jones in action
Jayla Jones in action

However, in January of this year the school added a female team to its basketball programme and six months later, the team has two players on the Guyana U-16 CBC championships squad after three were called to trials.

It all started when both Kesann and Jayla, who are 13 and 15 years respectively, decided they would pick up the game of basketball and just try out for the team.

“I have always loved basketball, and for me it was a no brainer when I heard Bishops’ was starting a female team, I knew it was something I had to be a part of,” stated Jayla.

At first glance the fourth form student, born January 17, 2001, who stands at only 5’4 is not just quiet, but very unassuming, since her petite frame and childish features create one impression of her.

But put her on the basketball court and there all illusions are stripped away and the quietness is replaced by the ferocity of a jaguar and the intensity of a forest fire.

“Jayla is one of those players who, if she doesn’t get it, pushes herself harder and harder, she is always willing to learn,” said coach Solomon when asked about her combo guard.
“In areas where she isn’t as good as others, she is always putting in extra work and since starting in January has grown leaps and bounds,” Solomon further stated.

The guard has yet to decide what she wants to do when it comes to her career but is confident she will excel at whatever she tries since it is in her nature. Having three other siblings, competition is in her blood and like her favourite player Michael Jordan, she hates losing.

Her running mate, born October 3, 2002, is one of the youngest on the Bishops’ team as well as the Guyana team.

Though close friends, Kesann and Jayla are the reverse sides of a coin, with Kesann at 6 feet. The forward is a bundle of energy and is constantly on the move. Whether it be on the court or simply on the corridors of Bishops’, getting Kesann to settle was a next to impossible task.

Kesann’s energy is infectious and being around her you cannot help but let that energy in. Her basketball start was quite similar to Jayla’s since she shared a love for the game that runs deep.

“I would always watch basketball, I mean, it really is my favourite sport and I cannot imagine not playing it now,” stated the second-former who eyes playing professionally.

“Kesann is all over the place, and runs continuously, she is always cracking jokes and her natural ability is hard not to see,” stated coach Solomon.

“She’s always working on her game as well and is hungry for more.”

The school’s Headmistress Mrs Winifred Ellis is happy with the girl’s selection, stating it could help the programme take off.

“I think there is great scope for basketball at Bishops’ High School just like any other regular extracurricular activity, and under the stewardship of Deborah Solomon, it has been put on the road.”

Mrs Ellis went on to state that at the institution they try to marry both extracurricular and academics.

“We try to make sure they do well on both sides, and getting them involved in sports is in itself a way of getting them to be disciplined and we have seen evidence of it being carried over in the academic work.”

She finished by saying that there was a great future for her students in basketball. Both Kesann and Jayla are anxious for the games to start and are currently in training. The eyes of Guyana will be on them as they compete from July 12 to 16 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

 

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.