JAMAICA’S senior Sunshine Girls’ Head Coach Sasher-Gaye Henry-Wright attributed her team’s success to its discipline, resilience and cohesiveness, after they defeated South Africa 59-47 in the second game of the three-test Margaret Beckford series at National Indoor Sports Centre on Wednesday.

Shimona Nelson led the charge for the Sunshine Girls, scoring a game-high 35 goals from 37 attempts. She received support from Shanice Beckford who netted 14 goals from 17 attempts, Rhea Dixon who scored a perfect six goals from as many attempts, and Mischa Creary who added four goals from five attempts.

For South Africa, Kamegelo Maseko scored 19 goals from 20 attempts, Rolene Streutter netted 12 goals from 14 attempts, and Elmere Van Der Berg contributed 16 goals from 16 attempts.

The win gives Jamaica an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, having won the first game 55-47. Henry-Wright was impressed with her team’s performance, despite a strong challenge from South Africa.

“I’m excited about the win,” Henry-Wright told the Jamaica Observer. “We wanted to improve, execute well, and we really wanted this game. South Africa pushed us hard, especially in the last quarter. We lost that quarter 11-9, which is something we need to review and work on.”

Henry-Wright praised her team’s overall effort, highlighting their ability to work together and execute their game plan.

“Holistically, the team has put in the work,” she said. “The girls are disciplined, resilient, and cohesive. We’ve worked on plans and they’re executing them well. I think South Africa was coming hard, and we have to give them kudos as I think they did extremely well. I think they really pushed us and pressed us in the latter part of the game.”

Despite the strong opposition Henry-Wright was pleased with her team’s ability to stay focused and composed under pressure.

“It is an excited feeling,” she said. “Along the journey, this was something that we really wanted. We really wanted to try and improve, and really execute well, and we really wanted this game — and I know this game meant a lot to us.”

The Sunshine Girls were the first to get on the scoreboard but the visiting South Africans kept pace, matching Jamaica point for point. However, when Brie Grierson’s errant pass to Shimona Jok was intercepted, South Africa capitalised on the mistake and took the lead, 7-5.

Undeterred, the Sunshine Girls rallied, fuelled by the energetic crowd which was near capacity. They tied the game at 9-9 and soon regained the lead, 10-9, with less than six minutes remaining in the first quarter. Once back in front the Jamaicans cruised, maintaining their momentum to finish the quarter with a five-goal advantage, 18-13.

The second quarter was a high-scoring affair, with both Jamaica and South Africa finding the net with ease. However, as the quarter wore on the Sunshine Girls began to assert their dominance, showcasing their composure and cohesion. They steadily pulled away, establishing an eight-point lead at 31-23 — with less than three minutes remaining — before the half-time break. By the time the whistle blew the Sunshine Girls had extended their advantage to 34-26, carrying a commanding eight-point lead into the half-time interval.

The Sunshine Girls burst out of the gates in the third quarter, accelerating the tempo and pushing their lead to 38-27 with 12 minutes remaining. They continued to dominate, cruising to a 41-28 advantage. However, some sloppy play allowed South Africa to narrow the gap to 10 points at 45-35 with four minutes left. But the Jamaicans, ranked third in the world, responded with a surge of intensity in the final three minutes, stretching their lead to 50-36 heading into the final quarter.

The final quarter got off to a relatively slow start for the Sunshine Girls in terms of scoring, but they effectively managed to maintain their substantial lead. With just over five minutes remaining they held a 57-42 advantage over South Africa. The Jamaicans ultimately closed out the match with a 59-47 victory.

With the series already wrapped up the Sunshine Girls will be looking to complete a sweep when they face South Africa in the final game on Saturday at the same venue.