Principals’ support keeping Bethel on high

The recent successes of the Bethel High School in secondary schools’ sports, is as a result of the support of successive principals.{{more}}

That’s the opinion of Wollis Christopher, physical education teacher and coach of the schools’ netball teams.

Christopher shared his analysis last Friday at the Kingstown Netball Centre, following the capture by the school of both the Junior and Senior Division titles.

“….In recent times, we have had Sylvia Findlay, then Wendell Edwards and now Miriam Pompey, all who have been very supportive of the sports programme in the school and this has gone a long way,” Christopher reasoned.

Strengthening his point, Christopher said that because of such support from the principals, the school has been able to enter teams in Division Four of the National Club Tournament, staged by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association.

“That to me is what set the tone also for our success, because it helps them to deal with excitement, with crowds, so they know how to compose themselves and still come out on top,” Christopher said.

He noted that because of such exposure, goal shoot of the senior team Itiesha Matthews, a first former, was able to show maturity on the big occasion.

Looking at the overall development of netball, Christopher advised: “I would like to encourage all schools to make use of the national tournament as a preparation for their teams”.

In pouching both titles, Bethel High overcame the Central Leeward Secondary in the match-ups.

In the Junior Division final, Bethel was in the ascendancy in all quarters: 12-5, 19-14, 25-19 and finally trumped 31-24.

Stepping up in the circle for Bethel were Shanna Daniel, who netted 19 of her 25 attempts and Yanniesha Scipio – 12 from 16. For Central Leeward, Cimora Solomon scored 10 of her tries and Shania Hoyte, 14 of her 24.

The Senior Division was a similar tale, as Bethel established a 12-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. It was 20-18 at the end of the second, while at the end of the third, it was 30-26. Bethel closed off the contest 44-36 at the final whistle.

Securing Bethel’s lien on the title with their scoring,was the combination of Mauricia Cuffy who registered 19 of her 20 attempts and Itiesha Matthews, 25 from 31.

Meanwhile, Central Leeward were called upon to change their personnel in the circle.

Carlene Douglas scored 28 from 38; Niancia Gordon 2 from 4; Patricia Woods 1 from 2; and Janiel Ferdinand registered 5 from 7.

It was a bitter pill for the Central Leeward Secondary School team’s student body, staff and supporters to swallow, as it was the second successive year that they had to settle for the runner-up spots in the two divisions.

Central Leeward, however, have an opportunity to save face, when they take on the Bethel High School in the Senior Division of the Schools’ Football Competition, which takes place today, Friday at the Victoria Park.

Bethel upstaged Central Leeward on kicks from the penalty in last year’s final. (RT)