Barbados broke an18-18 third quarter tie in the final game by outscoring St. Lucia 11-7 in the last session to emerge champions of the 18th annual Jean Pierre Under-16 Regional Netball Competition played this past week last week.
Playing unbeaten throughout the league-format tournament in Antigua and Barbuda’s YMCA Sports Complex the Bajan Gems were led in this last game by goal shooter Sumara Benn who netted 17 from 24 attempts, including six from eight in the final quarter.
Benn the daughter of lanky former West Indies senior male team spinner, Sulieman Benn, was supported by goal attack Chiara Chase who shot eight from eight attempts, with five coming in the last quarter.
St. Lucia’s Dasha Eugene netted 20 goals from 25 attempts in the losing cause.
Barbados ended the tournament with 30 points. Trinidad and Tobago totalled 26 and St. Lucia 22.
Bounding through the tournament undefeated this year brought back memories for the Gems whose predecessors performed the same stunt four years ago when they emerged champions in St Kitts in 2015.
The 2018 defending champions, Jamaica did not field a team this year to represent the title won in St. Lucia.
In their convincing tournament victory, many of the Gems also copped awards for outstanding play.
Shonica Griffith was MVP, and joined Rhashan Hunte, Vivica Addison, Kimani Archer, Sumara Benn and Tenielle Chapman-Goodluck in being named among the top 16 netballers for the tournament.
