Queen’s topple Holmwood for All-Island crown
After seeing their junior team having an easy 29-17 win over Denbigh High to retain their All-Island title, there were anxious moments for the Queen’s senior team as it came down to sudden death before they squeezed out a close 47-45 win over defending champions Holmwood Technical for their first senior All-Island title.
“I am extremely happy for the win and I would first like to thank God for the win. The girls played hard and deserve this win and I am happy for them. Holmwood are true champions and they really made us fight hard for this,” said Marvette Anderson, coach of Queen’s.
HIGH PRAISES
Despite the loss, the Carlene Graham, coach of Holmwood, had high praises for her girls.
“Ten years ago we employed God as our technical director and that’s why we have been champions and I want to give him all the glory. I am proud of my girls and hats off to Queen’s,” said GrahamPowell.
The large crowd that turned up to witness the feature match between Holmwood and Queen’s got their monies worth, as both teams had a battle royal, which went to 10 min- utes of extra time before going into the dreaded sudden death.
EXPERIENCED PLAYERS
At the start both teams started tentatively making several errors. Holmwood took the lead 8-5 at the end of the first quarter. However, despite an off day by centre Priscilla Thomas, experienced players, led by goalkeeper Shamera Sterling, along with goal shooter Shanice Beckford and goal attack Khadijah Williams, came into their own as the urban champions took a 17-15 lead at half-time.
Queen’s took control of the third quarter as Beckford was finding her shooting rage and despite Holmwood goal attack Nicole Dixon being in immaculate form, with several great interceptions, it was a healthy 2620 lead at the end of the third stanza. At the start of the final quarter a tactical change brought new life to the Holmood team as they started to play at a quicker pace putting Queen’s under pressure.
Queen’s, however, stole the initiative as they led 40-37 at the first break and extended their lead to 42-38. However, the defending champions rallied once more and in the end it was 43-43.
It came down to sudden death where a team had to lead by two goals for the win, where Queens