GUYANA’S Under-19 squash boys have gotten off to a dominant start at the Caribbean Area Squash Association Junior Championships, with all four players securing convincing opening-round victories on Sunday in Tortola.
Leading the charge was Mohryan Baksh, cruising to an 11-6, 11-3, 11-4 win over Andrew Cox.
Defending champion Nicholas Verwey displayed similar control, dispatching Trinidadian Anthony Allum 3-0 (11-3, 11-6, 11-4).
Michael Alphonso Jr and Louis DaSilva completed the clean sweep for Guyana’s U-19 boys, securing comfortable 3-0 victories.
All four will return to the court today to book their spots in the semifinals.
The Guyana girls’ campaign saw contrasting fortunes.
Safirah Sumner dominated Jamaican opponent Pirya Stoddart in straight sets (11-2, 11-4, 11-4) and returned later in the day to defeat Ciara George 11-3, 11-8, 11-0 to seal her semi-final spot.
However, Rylee Rodrigues narrowly fell short in a thrilling five-set battle against Bermuda’s Somers Stevenson (10-12, 11-3, 6-11, 11-9, 10-12).
Malia Maikoo also lost, dropping her match 4-11, 3-11, 11-13.
There was joy in the Boys’ Under-17 category, with Shiloh Asregado defeating Trinidadian Yohann Marchock in a tightly contested four-setter (11-6, 9-11, 12-10, 12-10).
However, Asregado’s journey ended in the quarterfinals, falling to familiar foe Eli Carpol of Bermuda (11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 8-11). Demetri Lowe also bowed out, losing to the number-two seed Daniel Henderson in straight sets (11-1, 11-3, 11-0).
Barbados dominated Guyana in the boys’ under-15 division, with their top-seeded players Ben Shepherd and Daniel Sealy defeating Justin Goberdhan and Jacob McDonald, respectively.
In the Under-11 category, Zion Hickerson started strong with an 11-5, 11-1, 11-3 victory over Zavin Garrick. However, he couldn’t maintain the momentum, falling to Barbadian Finn Graham (11-8, 4-11, 3-11, 7-11) and missing out on a semi-final spot.
