When the four semi-finalists in the Jamaica Independent Schools Association (JISA) Canopy Henriques Cup Knockout Competition line up today, one familiar name will be missing as a new champion is set to be crowned following Mona Prep’s elimination in the quarter-final round.

Defending league champions Sts Peter and Paul will face Liberty Academy at 12:30 pm while last year’s beaten knockout finalists Lannaman’s Prep will face Hillel Academy in the 11:00 am curtain-raiser, with both games set to take place at Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory.

It was Hillel who got rid of Mona Prep, beating the many-time champions 3-2 on penalties in Saturday’s quarter-final clash at Sts Peter and Paul, after a 0-0 scoreline in regulation time. Hillel, who will again face Mona in the quarter-final round of the Alberga Cup, when that competition resumes in January, had the better of Mona but failed to make their dominance count after missing several opportunities to break the deadlock.

They will face a tough Lannaman’s team, which will be eager to return to the Henriques Cup final and will be encouraged by their comfortable 3-1 win over Christel House, also on Saturday at Liberty Academy.

Home team Sts Peter and Paul are the overwhelming favourites for the league and cup double but they must first navigate their semi-final against a technically sound Liberty Academy outfit, with both teams coming off impressive knockout wins and group topping performances in the league competition.

Sts Peter and Paul got the better of the much-improved Reach Academy by a 3-1 margin in their quarter-final clash on Saturday, while Liberty brushed aside Emmanuel Christian Academy by a similar scoreline in their contest.

Winston Keyes, sports co-ordinator at JISA, is looking forward to what he expectes will be an exciting climax to the competition.

“It is going to be a cracker. We have the number-one-ranked Sts Peter and Paul going up against the number-four-ranked Liberty Acedemy and also the number two-ranked Lannaman’s facing the number six-ranked Hillel. The competition has been a success this year despite Hurricane Melissa and we are looking forward to seeing who will be the top team in this competition especially since the defending champions were knocked out,” said Keyes.

The final is scheduled to take place on Saturday at Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory.

Jamaica Independent Schools Association Sports Coordinator Winston Keyes (Photo: Paul Reid)