Kingston College (KC) had to dig deep and pull on their world renown ‘FORTIS’ spirit to prevail over a determined Jamaica College (JC) team in the semifinals of the ISSA/KFC 2013-2014 Southern Conference Basketball semifinals on Thursday January 16th.
Kingston College (KC) had to dig deep and pull on their world renown ‘FORTIS’ spirit to prevail over a determined Jamaica College (JC) team in the semifinals of the ISSA/KFC 2013-2014 Southern Conference Basketball semifinals on Thursday January 16th.
KC got off to a fast start in the first quarter, controlling the tempo of the game and pushing the ball on each possession. The tactics paid off for them, as the boys from North Street doubled their opponents points, 18-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The boys from Hope Road regrouped during the break and came out a different team, making the second quarter a much more competitive one. They were able to hold KC to four less points while increasing their own output by three. The half time scores read, 28-19 to KC, who could not complain about a nine point lead at the half way stage.
But JC were determined to show that they too had fight in them and came out blazing offensively at the start of the third quarter while exhibiting good defence. KC did not register a single point for the first four minutes of the third quarter as ‘True Blue’ ate into their nine point lead cutting the deficit to just two points before KC finally got on the board in the second half.
KC finally woke up from their half time slumber and went on a run of their own to reopen the gap. JC did make slight inroads into the lead and the deficit stood at seven points, with one quarter to go with KC leading 46-39.
The fourth quarter was high drama. The pint sized point guard, Prince Moodie who led JC with 16 points, took the game by the scruff of the neck helping his team to wipe out the KC lead. Back to back baskets by the little dynamo drew the teams level on points at 46 all.
The JC students who had been banging their drums from the start of the game grew louder as they sensed victory for their team.
The lead would switch hands on more than one occasion down the stretch as both teams sought control of the game. When JC took the lead with less than a minute left to play in regulation time, it seemed as though they would pull of f the most unlikely win.
However, KC managed to keep themselves in the game from the free throw line and although they missed as many as they made it would be from that mark where they sealed victory by 62-60 and a place in the finals.
Clifton Jean who had 20 points, 7 rebounds and 9 steals led the scoring for KC and he was duly supported by Kadeem O’Sullivan who had 18 points and 9 rebounds.
In addition to Moodie’s high score, Kemar Campbell had 14 points and 5 rebounds for JC.
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