teenAGE schoolboy football Team of the Season
We have come to the end of another ISSA schoolboy football season, one which reduced many to tears, laughter, heartache and jubilation. This year will definitely live long in the memories of many, especially those attached to the St Georges College fraternity. This season was also a great indicator of growth at the schoolboy football level, which bodes really well for the future development of the sport in our country.
However, some marquee standouts must be recognised and though each player played a key role in their respective teams, these eleven players were consistent and brilliant throughout the entire season. Here is the teenAGE schoolboy football team of the 2016 ISSA Schoolboy Football season: Shemar Jemison – Wolmer’s BoysMaliek Howell – Jamaica CollegeJavain Brown – Kingston CollegeJahwani Hinds – Wolmer’s Boys Calvin Kelly – Wolmer’s BoysTyreek Magee – Jamaica CollegeOquin Robinson – Jamaica CollegeTavis Grant – Lennon HighPeter-Lee Vassell – Cornwall CollegeAlphonso Gooden – Wolmer’s Boys
Though he failed to achieve the ever elusive Manning Cup title, in his last year in schoolboy football , Jemison still played a key role in aiding the team to achieve its first FLOW Super Cup trophy. He displayed his brilliant shot stopping techniques once again this season, especially when it came on to penalties, most notably in that semi-final matchup against STETHS in the FLOW Super Cup, where he denied the opposition with a magnificent save to keep the Wolmerians in the game. It was saves like those that has defined Jemison’s career over the years and has no doubt put him among the elites to have played at the schoolboy level.
It has to be noted that Maliek Howell has been superb and consistent for the entire schoolboy football season and has been one of the crucial members of the squad that has enabled this Jamaica College side to contest in three major finals. A dominant figure in the wing back position, Howell epitomises Coley’s unique style of playing by showing good defensive attributes whilst still being able to join the attack, create chances and score goals. He was evidently exceptional in the Manning Cup final, tormenting the Wolmer’s left back Calvin Kelly throughout the game. It was a brilliant defensive display from Howell and equally a very impressive attacking performance which was exemplified by a dazzling run in the first half, where he dribbled into the Wolmerian penalty box and was taken down but the referee judged it not to be a penalty. He is one of the rare breed of defenders who have the distinct ability to get at the opposition and put the ball in the back of the net. The Under-20 player has three goals and six assists in all competitions this season and has displayed the kind of performances that would allow anyone to see that he has a bright future in the game.
If ever there was someone who exemplified the true meaning of what it means to play for Kingston College it would be Javain ‘Trigga’ Brown. He leaves everything on the field whenever he plays and has been key to KC’s team all season. He performed exceptionally well in the Walker Cup finals, refusing to allow Jamaica College back into the game after his team had taken an early lead. At a relatively fair height, you’d be surprised to see how easily he out jumps some of the competition’s most clinical attackers. He is also expertly adept in reading the game and displays a fiery attitude during matches, which goes further to show his passion for the sport. He has truly been one of the best defenders of the 2016 Schoolboy Football season.
A rock at the back for the maroon and gold, Hinds was very disappointed that he failed to captain his team to their first Manning Cup title in 22 years. However, he can take credit in the fact that he led one of the best defensive units of the season, one which conceded only 6 goals in all competitions. He also was able to lift the FLOW Super Cup trophy after Wolmer’s successfully defeated Cornwall College 1-0. The former U17 captain and now U20 captain has a bright future in the sport. His big, muscular frame continues to drive fear into his opponents as well as his no nonsense style of defending, which has led him to be one of the most renowned defenders in schoolboy football.
Kelly was another integral member that contributed to that outstanding Wolmerian defence. His solid tackling and a knack for timely interceptions proved crucial as the boy’s from Heroes’ Circle had one of their best ever seasons in recent years. Kelly, who played in just his second consecutive season for Wolmer’s, was a revelation at the back and consistent as he played a chief role in the side’s Manning Cup and Super Cup runs.
If Alex Marshall stole the show with his silky skills an amazing finishes last season then JC’s #10 Tyreek Magee was definitely the equivalent this season as he led his team to their fourth consecutive Manning Cup title and fifth straight Olivier Shield. His wonderful solo strike in the semifinals of the Manning Cup against Holy Trinity and his match winning performance against the Wolmerians in the final, where he also scored, capped off a memorable season for the 17-year-old. To add to that success, he was also integral in the team’s defence of the Olivier Shield in which he scored a brilliant free kick to equalise against Cornwall College in a game that the defending champions went on to win 4-3 on penalties. He was one of two Jamaicans to participate in the Digicel Kickstart Manchester City experience back in October. Still relatively young, Magee will be an important member for the team if JC are to make it five Manning Cup titles in a row next season.
Captain of the Jamaica College football team, Robinson was a force to be reckoned with in midfield and displayed consistent performances throughout the season, though this was not the team’s best in recent years. He has an eye for the key passes which allowed him to create many opportunities for Miguel Coley’s team. Robinson was one of the best performing midfielders this season and a standout in a team that needed a leader, which he was, leading them to three finals, the Manning Cup, the Walker Cup and the Olivier Shield.
A captain that inspired his team to their first ever major trophy, Grant led by example in the Ben Francis Cup final against St. Elizabeth Technical. He scored what definitely would be considered as a contender for goal of the season, a 30yrd screamer to break the deadlock and shock the defending champions. He is another player that has shown consistency and class throughout the season and helped his school to finish what was arguably their best ever year in schoolboy football.
Vassell is another player who plays with his heart on his sleeve. He was very emotional after his team’s win over STETHS in the DaCosta Cup final which ended their 15 year drought without winning the trophy. Vassell was key in that game, as he has been all season. He set up both goals in the dying embers of the match and ran relentlessly at the opposition every time he got the ball. He was also fantastic in the team’s memorable Super Cup run, where they were unluckily beaten by Wolmer’s in the final.
A consistent, clinical and reliable striker, Gooden successfully led his team to a historic Super Cup victory by scoring in every match, with the most important goal coming in the 90th minute of the final against Cornwall College. He also claimed over 10 goals in the Manning Cup competition but failed to score in the final and help his team avenge a quality-laden JC team. It was a very successful season for the striker who improved much on last year’s performance.
Jourdaine Fletcher – Cornwall College
If there had to be a standout performer for the entire schoolboy football season, it would be hard to find a more suitable candidate than Cornwall College’s Jourdaine Fletcher. Fletcher possesses the kind of talent that undoubtedly puts him above his peers and signals to coaches and pundits alike that his boy is truly special. He has raw pace that allows him to go by any defender. His silky skills are another key attribute he possesses as well as that lethal left foot. He managed to score 34 goals this season which is more than any other player in schoolboy football and brought utter euphoria in Catherine Hall on a few Saturdays ago when he broke the deadlock in the DaCosta Cup final against St. Elizabeth Technical. He was however, unable to capture the Olivier Shield for his team, in a game in which he also got on the score sheet but losing to JC on penalties. It is however evident that the fans of the Montego Bay based school love and adore him as he has been key to their success this season.
Honourable mention: Kingston College’s Rashawn Mackison vied heavily for a position, but ultimately tended to blow a bit more hot and cold than other selectees here. Mackison, however, definitely impressed over the season.