RAMONE Francis and Eltham High School were the toast of the Inter secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/ GraceKennedy Financial Group Awards ceremony at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Visitors’ Lodge, yesterday.

Francis copped six individual awards before joining his team to collect three prizes, as they were named the top urban area school.

The 15-year-old, who won the top all-rounder award for his 859 runs and 48 wickets in the Grace Shield, told reporters that hard work and dedication led to his achievement.

“It has been very hard work, but I remained dedicated and focused. I followed the coach’s instructions and my teammates kept encouraging me, so everything worked out right,” he said.

Having also won three awards for his three unbeaten centuries of the season, Francis is pleased with the outcome of his performance and is already looking forward to the upcoming season, while aspiring to lead the national and regional squads in the future.

Eltham also won the Jamaica International Insurance Company (JIIC) Knockout Cup, along with the Grace Shield.

Meanwhile, Headley Cup champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) was named the top rural area school, to go along with the Spaulding Cup and the most disciplined team award.

Ramaal Lewis, who led the Santa Cruz-based team, won the Carlton Alexander Award for sportsmanship, leadership and discipline, while coach Clive Ledgister copped the Rafael Diaz trophy for being named coach of the year.

Kevon Williams, also of STETHS, walked away with the Douglas Orane Shield for academic excellence and outstanding performance in the competition. Williams achieved multiple passes in his examinations, while taking 19 wickets from 81 overs and making 206 runs on the field of play.

Excelsior High won the Grace/Jackie Hendriks urban Under-14 and the Allied Insurance Brokers Under-16 trophies, while Ardenne High School’s lone award came in the form of the First Global Bank ‘A’ League trophy.

Clarendon College took the Grace rural Under-14 and All-Island titles, and Manchester High School walked away with the First Global Financial Services rural Under-16 and All-Island titles.

The competitions, which were held from January to June, saw over 80 schools participating at the senior level, 51 at the Under-16 level, and 47 at the Under-14 level.