In a nail-biting showdown at the Beausejour Gymnasium on Friday, November 7, Soufrière Comprehensive Secondary School (SCSS) emerged victorious over St Joseph’s Convent (SJC) with a 24-23 win in overtime, successfully defending their Under-16 Girls’ Schools Netball title. The match, which ended in a 19-19 tie after regulation time, saw both teams deliver flawless performances in the extra frame, consisting of two five-minute halves. Kheryss Ferguson of SCSS was instrumental, converting all five of her shots, while Naija Ferdinand, the Under-16 national captain for SJC, made all four of her attempts. Ferguson, the goal shooter, scored 13 out of 18 shots in regulation, supported by goal attack Indiana James, who made 6 out of 13. On the opposing side, SJC’s goal shooter Iyana William scored 7 out of 9, and Ferdinand, the goal attack, made 12 out of 14. Ferdinand, who was the tournament’s most accurate shooter with an impressive 86.3% conversion rate (38/44), also earned accolades as the best attacking player of the final and the tournament MVP, receiving a $300 prize from the Ministry of Youth Development & Sports. Faith Leon of SCSS was named the best defensive player of the final, while Kenisha Biscette of SJC took home the title of best centre player. In the third-place match, Saint Lucia Sports Academy (SLSA) defeated Castries Comprehensive Secondary School (CCSS) 18-7, with Ahmani Wilfred and Isabella Emelienne leading the charge for SLSA.