In a display of sheer dominance, Manchester High swept Herbert Morrison Technical in the ISSA Rural Area finals on Thursday, claiming the championship titles in both the Under-16 and Under-19 categories during the Montego Bay showdown.
Under-16 Battle
Manchester High ignited their campaign with an emphatic win on home turf, posting a 67-22 victory in the opener. In the decisive follow-up game, they secured a 48-27 triumph. Early in the match, Herbert Morrison briefly kept pace with a narrow 10-9 first-quarter score. However, Manchester High quickly turned the tide. Jelani Ricketts led the charge with a standout triple-double—amassing 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 steals—to help build a comfortable lead. By halftime, the score was 23-15 in favor of Manchester, and the momentum only increased as they pushed to a 39-21 advantage heading into the final quarter.
Jayquan Palmer further bolstered the Under-16 win with a double-double of his own, tallying 12 points alongside 20 rebounds and four steals. Despite solid efforts from Herbert Morrison’s Michael Johnson and Shamar Russell, the visitors couldn’t match Manchester High’s intensity.
Under-19 Domination
The Under-19 contest was equally one-sided. Manchester High overwhelmed the opposition with an initial 74-42 win, followed by a 43-28 victory in the decisive game. Oral Daley, crowned Player of the Final, was instrumental in the victory—registering 14 points, 11 rebounds, eight blocks, and four steals. With early leads of 13-8, 27-13 at halftime, and 33-20 after three quarters, Manchester High maintained complete control. Shane Nembhard contributed significantly as well, adding 11 points, 7 rebounds, and four steals to the team’s efforts.
Herbert Morrison’s Daniel Clarke managed a double-double (12 points and 10 rebounds), but it wasn’t enough to stem the flood of points from Manchester High.
Individual Accolades
Manchester High’s Christopher Henderson earned MVP honors for the Under-16 category, also capturing awards for most assists, free throws, and steals. In the Under-19 division, Belair High’s Rahim Hayles was named MVP, along with accolades for most blocked shots, free throws, and rebounds. Additional individual awards were shared among top performers from various schools: Belair High’s D’Khamron Scott (most blocks) and teammate Chad-Romel Smith (top scorer); Revonne Hinds of St Elizabeth Technical (most rebounds); Denbigh High’s Matthew Nagasa (most three-pointers); St James High’s Jordan Anderson (most assists); Manchester High’s Nathanael Reynolds (most steals); and from Herbert Morrison, Joshua Ferguson (most three-pointers) with D’Aire Patterson also recognized as the top scorer.
A New Benchmark
With these emphatic victories, Manchester High not only retained their coveted titles but also set a new standard of excellence in Jamaica’s high school basketball scene. Their commanding performance in Montego Bay leaves little doubt about their prowess, promising an exciting future for the program.
