Netball queens crowned in Richland Park tournament

JLC Warriors and High Performance Vultures were crowed queens of netball in Richland Park on August 27 following the junior and senior finals of the 2023 Richland Park Netball Tournament.

In the opening game of the afternoon, JLC Warriors defeated 3Js Valley Strikers 50-19 to win the 2023 junior title. The Warriors led in all quarters 12-01, 22-06, 35-14, and 50-19.

JLC Warriors goal-shoot collects a pass in the junior final (photo by Robertson S. Henry)

In the highly anticipated second final between High Performance Vultures and High Park United which featured a number of national players, tournament MVP Joseann Antoine led her team High Performance Vultures to a 59-54 victory in a pulsating game.

The Vultures stormed out of the blocks from the opening whistle to score the first points of the match, after High Park United goal-shoot Skiddy Francis missed an early opportunity, the first quarter ending 19-07 in favour of High Performance Vultures.

Joseann Antoine playing in the goal-attack position alongside her sister Kemisha Antoine who played in the goal-shoot position made life difficult for goal-keep Vasha Adams, and goal-defence Shania Pompey.

High Performance Vultures scored 14 goals in the second quarter to High Park United’s 13 to end the second quarter at 33-21 in favour of High Performance Vultures.

High Park United led by the duo of goal-shoot Skiddy Francis and goal-attack Shellisa Davis with 14 goals, outscored High Performance Vultures 12, but the Vultures kept the lead 45-35 going into the crucial fourth and final quarter.

The final score at the end was 59-54 victory going to High Performance Vultures who scored 14 goals, but were outscored by High Park United who netted 19 goals, bringing to an end a very exciting tournament.

Speaking to Searchlight following the match, a breathless but excited High Performance Vultures captain Kemisha Antoine stated “It was a great game. We went out there to win. We went out there to take it from the beginning. We had a goal; we wanted to win, for we knew that High Park was going to come at us hard.”

Shania Pompey speaking on behalf of losing finalists High Park United told Searchlight: “It was a great game but we had a rough start but we were able to pull back in the end. Although we did not come out victorious, tough luck on my end and congrats to the Vultures.”