KWAKWANI Secondary walked away as the biggest winners of this year’s National School Basketball Festival (NSBF), having won the Girls’ title, along with the Under-16 and Under-19 championships, when the curtain came down on the week-long tournament on Sunday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. It was the second straight title for the girls from Region 10 District, after beating Marian Academy 23-4 in the final.

Jenelle Belle led all scorers with nine points and picked up three steals in the process while Anansa Gladstone chipped in with eight points.
Kennesha Leacock was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and leading scorer while Jada Mohan won the most assists title and Georgianna Vyphuis picked up the most rebounds award.
In the Under-16 final, Kwakwani Secondary overcame Mackenzie High School (MHS) 46-41 in a nail-biter.
Tyrese Mitchell of MHS and Kwakwani’s Ronaldo Patoir put on a brilliant display of the game for the fans but in the end, it was the school from the Berbice River that took home the crown.
Patoir, who was also named the tournament’s MVP, poured in 18 points, while Mitchell netted a game-high 19 points and grabbed five rebounds in a losing effort.
It was not as close in the U-19 final which Kwakwani won 80-65 over St Rose’s High School thanks to an MVP performance from Stanton Rose (21 points). Kerrol Phillips contributed 13 points and eight rebounds in his school’s victory.
Nathan Saul, one of the rising stars of Guyana’s basketball, terrorised the Kwakwani defence on his way to an entertaining 34 points but it was not enough to prevent the defending champions from retaining their title.
Meanwhile, Yonnick Tappin ensured that MHS U14 team did not travel back to Linden empty-handed as he helped the town’s highest secondary learning institution to a 49-30 points win over St Rose’s.
Tappin, the tournament’s MVP, leading scorer and best defensive player award winner, scored 19 points and had nine rebounds and four steals in his side’s triumph.
The NSBF tournament was sponsored by Digicel, Banks DIH Limited and Beharry Group of Companies.