THE Under-14 category of this year’s National School Basketball Festival (NSBF) has turned out to be the most exciting and the top two schools have made their way to today’s finals.

Mackenzie High School (MHS) and St Rose’s High School will contest the championship game after both teams secured commanding wins in their respective semi-finals yesterday.

MHS dismantled Bishops’ High 44 – 7 while St Rose’s clipped the wings of Marian Academy 25 – 19 in front of a vocal and appreciative crowd at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Led by their point guard and leading scorer in the tournament so far Yonnick Tappin, the Linden based school ended the half leading 23 – 3.

It was if they were playing among themselves; a typical training session as they piled on the points to take the win and making a strong statement of their intentions to take the title back to Region 10.

Tappin had a game high 12 points, nine rebounds and picked up three steals. Stephan Duncan contributed nine points, while Isaiah Adams and Shamar Chapman both netted six points for MHS.

In the other semi-finals, St Roses held a four point advantage at half time (9 – 5) but turned things around in the second half to book a showdown with MHS.

Anthony Yansen had nine points while point guard and floor general Kwesi Roberts, Shakel Bobbsemple and Troy Miller all scored four points for the championship game bound St Roses.

For the losers, Josiah Daniels had six points and Josiah Dundas led the way with nine points.

Meanwhile, MHS was down to play in both the U-16 and U-19 semi-finals against Marian Academy and St Roses respectively.