All-island netball glory at stake

ALL will be on the line today as the best junior and senior high school netball teams in the country are crowned champions when the all-island finals take place at G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport.

Urban champions Wolmer's Girls, the defending junior title holders, will go up against rural champions Denbigh High at 1 p.m., while rural and defending senior champions Holmwood Technical will clash with urban champions Gaynstead High in the senior final at 2 p.m.

After getting by defending champions Holmwood Technical in overtime, unbeaten Denbigh High will start favourites to win their sixth all-island title - their last success coming in 2017.

Much will depend on Denbigh's strong defensive unit, led by goal defence Symonia Smith and goalkeeper Kelsie Reid, as they come up against Wolmer's tall goal shooter Jadeen Frith and goal attack Nia-Ashley Emmanuel, who have both been pivotal in their team's wins this season.

Both coaches are positive ahead of today's final.

"I trust my players and I believe, on the day, they will deliver on what we need to do, and I expect a great final," said Wolmer's coach Tracy Ann Griffiths, whose team defeated Norman Manley High 29-25 in the urban final for juniors on Wednesday.

In his third season at the helm of Denbigh's netball programme, veteran coach Winston Nevers is eyeing more success.

"I was very proud of the performance of the team in the rural finals as they looked good in all areas, and I expect the same in the all-island finals," shared Nevers.

"These girls are also coming off success in the all-island under-14, and I expect them to go all the way," he added.

TITANIC CLASH

A titanic clash is expected in the senior final as Holmwood go in search of their umpteenth title. Coach Carline Graham Powell is upbeat after a 29-25 win against Denbigh High in the rural finals two days ago.

"I am very excited when it comes to this time of the year. We have been to 16 all-island finals and have only lost three times, and I am positive and confident we can add another trophy to our cabinet," Graham Powell said.

"This team is a very young one, but they have no fear of any opponent as they play like true champions, and I am confident that they will be victorious," she added.

Holmwood's key players are goal attack Reneica Jones, goal shooter Syranna Brown, centre Sarah Marie Walker, and Jody Ann Flemmings, who also plays the goal attack role.

After a nail-biting 48-45 overtime win against Jose Marti High to capture the senior urban title on Wednesday, Gaynstead High will be seeking their third all-island success after previous triumphs in 2018 and 2022.

Coach Dalton Hinds is confident ahead of today's final.

"The aim is always to win. Holmwood is well-coached, with a very outstanding coach, the best at this level, so we really have to be at our best and get ready to compete against this Holmwood team," said Hinds, who is banking on goal shooter McKada Thomas, goal attack Danielle Joseph, goalkeeper Sashzine Smith, and goal defence Shaquane Crawley, all of whom were outstanding in the win against Jose Marti.