NHT dominate Florida Netball Classics
THERE WAS no stopping the National Housing Trust (NHT) ‘A’ team last weekend at the 28th staging of the Florida Netball Classics inside the Coral Spring Gymnasium in Fort Lauderdale as they turned back CARICOM 14-9 in the final.
The win secured a third straight title for the NHT team, which also walked away with a cash prize of US$15,000 ($2.1 million) for their success.
After two days of exciting play, it was a slicklooking NHT team that ruled supreme in the end, with the likes of goal defence Vangelee Williams, goal keeper Abbigail Linton, skipper Kerry-Ann Brown at wing defence along with centre Nicole Dixon, wing attack Trishana Hanson, and goal shooter Thristina Harwood proving too much for their opponents.
After an exciting semi-final clash with a strong Upsetter team, which included several
‘I must commend the girls for their fine effort as it was a good one ... . I am kind of disappointed with the final as I think our semi-finals opponents were a quality team and would have been a better final, but NHT is a class team.’
of Jamaica’s top senior players, which they won 12- 9, the Christopher Smart-coached NHT team was on cruise control in the final after jumping to a quick 6-0 lead, with Harwood, who ended up scoring 12 goals from 15 attempts, hitting form from the first whistle. Linton was voted MVP of the finals.
“I must commend the girls for their fine effort as it was a good one,” said Smart. “I am kind of disappointed with the final as I think our semi-finals opponents were a quality team and would have been a better final, but NHT is a class team.”
NHT now join Scotiabank with three titles. Earlier in the third place play-off, Upsetters turned back Rising Eagle 23-4.
In the plate or consolation final, Appliance Traders Limited (ATL) stopped Rockers 12-8, while in the third-place play-off, JN Group got the better of NHT ‘B’ 11-8.
Gisellle Allison, who represented ATL won the shooting contest, while LASCO won the prize for best dressed team at the opening parade, with Jamaican
teams sweeping all top awards.