UNIVERSITY of Guyana, New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI), Plaisance Academy and Kwakwani Secondary have gone through to the semifinals of this year’s Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG)-organised National Schools Basketball Festival. 

Behind Jonathan Pooran’s game-high 22 points, and 18 points from his sidekick Daniel Ramlagan, the University of Guyana clinched a nail-biting victory over the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) 54-52.
It was a gruelling match between the two tertiary institutions that was close from jump ball.
Terron Welch (24 points, nine rebounds) and Dennis Niles (22 points, seven rebounds) did all they could to help their school win but UG, with Ramlagan and Pooran, were too much to handle.
The pair of Leonard Primo and Stanton Rose continued to do damage in the tournament for Kwakwani who defeated President’s College 61-40 in a heavy one-sided affair.
Primo scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds while Rose netted 15 points, along with getting five rebounds and four assists.
Shaquille Adonis was President’s College’ only player to show some fighting spirit and he ended the clash with 17 points and four rebounds.
Despite another good showing from Daniel Anthony (19 points), Mackenzie High School (MHS) were soundly beaten by NATI 27-47, being led by Edmar Semple (15 points) and Shemroy McKenzie 11 points).
Defending champions Marian Academy were forced to surrender their trophy after being booted from the tournament following their 35-27 points defeat by Plaisance Academy.
In the two Under-16 games played, St Rose’s High thrashed President’s College 53-30 and Bishops’ High School bullied Plaisance Academy 49-41.
In the Under-14 clash, St Rose’s secured a win by default since Bishops’ High did not show up and Marian Academy got past St Stanislaus College 22-10.