The second round of Saint Lucia’s highly anticipated Under-19 Schools Netball Tournament concluded on Monday with six tightly contested matches across multiple venues, leaving four top squads — including defending champions Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School (VFCSS) — still holding onto their unblemished winning streaks.
The first set of matches unfolded at the Beausejour Gymnasium, where St Joseph’s Convent (SJC) solidified its hold on first place in Group A with a dominant 43-8 victory over Babonneau Secondary School. SJC’s attacking duo turned in a near-perfect performance: goal shooter Iyana Williams sunk 31 goals from 37 attempts, while goal attack Xanaiia Emmanus added 12 goals from 17 tries. For Babonneau Secondary, forwards Amia Jn Marie and Samara Edward each put up four goals from six attempts, a bright spot in an otherwise lopsided matchup.
In another Group A clash between two undefeated opening-round winners, the Saint Lucia Sports Academy (SLSA), ranked second in the group, secured a clear 24-7 win over third-ranked Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School. SLSA’s offensive line led the charge: goal attack Isabella Emelienne converted 17 of her 25 attempts, and goal shoot Cathy Lucien added seven goals from nine tries. Valencia Joseph was Sir Ira Simmons’ top scorer with four goals from eight attempts, while Jazan Wilie contributed three goals from five tries.
Down at the Micoud Multipurpose Court, Group B leaders Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) notched the highest score of the entire round with a lopsided 53-6 rout of Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School. Niaja Ferdinand led all scorers on the day, sinking 24 goals from 27 attempts, with teammate Neanna Francois backing her up with 22 goals from 31 tries. Leon Hess Secondary’s Onyeka Enebeli and Destiny Edward each put up three goals for their side.
Defending tournament champions VFCSS also kept their winning streak intact, picking up their second consecutive victory with a 30-18 win over Choiseul Secondary School. Deriscia Mitchell led VFCSS’s offense with 24 goals from 38 attempts, and Bernege Joseph added five more from nine tries. Choiseul Secondary kept the game competitive early behind Malia Isidore’s 15 goals from 20 attempts, and Adana Maximin’s three goals from 10 tries.
In the final Group B matchup of the round, Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary bounced back from an opening-round loss to hand previously undefeated Beanefield Comprehensive a decisive 43-19 defeat, shaking up the Group B rankings heading into the next round of play.
Back at Beausejour Gymnasium, Castries Comprehensive Secondary notched its first win of the 2024 tournament, closing out the day’s play with a 28-4 victory over Entrepot Secondary.