ST HUGH’S registered an exciting 44-42 win over St Andrew High in capturing the 2013 ISSA/Southern Conference High Schoolgirls Basketball League title at the National Basketball Courts last Wednesday.

It was, however, one of the most thrilling finals in schoolgirl basketball for a long time, as both St Hugh’s and St Andrew High thrilled spectators with excellent plays.

The victors had to stave off a late burst from their opponents who drew level at 42 with one minute and ten seconds (1:10) remaining on the clock.

St Hugh’s received two free throws at the line and scored to make it 43-42 with St Andrew High still in with a chance of either winning or pushing the game into overtime. They failed to score the all- important points with the winners going on to win 44-42.

The quarterly scores for St Hugh’s were 13-8, 23-19 (half time), 40-31 (3rd quarter), before going on to the final score.

Star player was Antoinette Stone from St Hugh’s who scored 23 points, inclusive of three steals and was also named the Most Valuable Player of the final. The other principal scorer for the winners was Kimoyo Draggon with 15 points — four steals, four rebounds and three assists.

For the losers, Tiffany Clarke top-scored with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Azeeza McCarthy scored 15 points.

Winning coach, Latoya Bidwell, was very elated after her team’s very close win.

“It was a very good game, but extremely close and we needed to finish it off with the scores locked at 42-42,” Bidwell said.

St Andrew High coach, Franklin Burrell, blamed the officiating for his team’s loss.

“I am very disappointed on how the game was officiated as at least five of my top starters were fouled out and that’s why we lost. They should have allowed the game to flow and if we lost then that’s it,” said Burrell.