JAMAICA’s Under-16 netballers arrived home yesterday after winning the 2014 Jean Pierre Youth Netball Tournament, which was held in Antigua and Barbuda.

Jamaica have now won the youth championship on 10 occasions.

Coach Marvette Anderson said she was proud of her team and that victory was expected based on the quality of the Jamaican players.

“We were very confident, we know that we have the edge over the rest of the teams, the records have proven that over the years and so going into the tournament we were very confident.

“I am very happy with the achievement that we have won. I am really proud of these girls. To have gone away to represent your country and voted as the Most Disciplines Team speaks well for us,” Anderson told the Jamaica Observer shortly after their arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport.

Reflecting on the overall performance of the team, Anderson had a smallconcern with the defensive department.

“When we left here we knew that the weakest part of our game was our defence, but the ladies rose to the occasions,” she noted.

Meanwhile, Netball Jamaica president Marva Bernard said she was happy with the girls’ accomplishment.

“I am very proud of their achievements in the championships, winning the Most Disciplined Team award, having six players copping awards I am just happy for them overall. This accomplishment will make any association and any president proud and I am really proud of these girls,” she said.

Meanehile, dominant Jamaica formalised their capture of the championship on Saturday nightwith a ruthless victory over St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

Heading into the contest with the title virtually sewn up, the Jamaicans spared no effort as they produced another emphatic display to rout the Vincentians 62-13.

They finished the competition unbeaten from six outings and on top the standings with 31 points, five ahead of second-placed Barbados who signed off with a 33-19 triumph over St Lucia in the night cap game.

Hosts Antigua and Barbuda also finished the tournament on a high with a 41-6 whipping of Nevis, while Dominica extended Trinidad and Tobago’s disappointing campaign with a 30-24 verdict.

SVG and Dominica finished on 17 points from 3-3 records but the Vincentians picked up third spot on goal difference, while St Kitts were fifth on 12 points and T&T sixth on 11 points. St Lucia lost all their games to be bottom of the pile.

Playing in the second game of the evening’s schedule, Jamaica showed their intent by rushing to a 14-5 first quarter lead which they converted into a 30-8 advantage at half-time.

By then, it was apparent the Sunshine Girls were headed for a blow-out, and they pressed home their advantage in the third quarter, out-scoring the Vincentians 16-3, to leave the result a foregone conclusion at the start of the final stanza.

For the winners, goal-shoot Simone Gordon scored 30 goals from 35 attempts, while Tracy Francis supported with 24 from 28 attempts.

SVG were led by Khadija Williams who shot 13 from 16 attempts.

— CMC/Observer