Junior squash champs Morrison, Mahfood win CAC, Commonwealth Games qualifier

JUNIOR Squash champions Julian Morrison and Jake Mahfood stormed back from early-round losses to take the top two positions, respectively, in the first round of qualification for the 2014 Caribbean and Central American (CAC) Games and the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which was contested on the weekend at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston.

Morrison, the All-Jamaica Under-19 boys’ champion, proved indefatigable as he battled through several hard matches to win the three-day tournament. After being highly favoured to skate into the final he suffered an upset at the hands of veteran Bruce Levy, who beat him 10/12, 10/12, 11/8, 11/9, 11/5 in the last stage of the round-robin segment of the tournament on Saturday night.The loss meant that Morrison had to face tournament favourite, Caribbean Under-19 champion Ashante Smith, in the semi-finals on Sunday morning rather than in the final, as had been widely predicted. Morrison rose to the occasion, toppling Smith 11/7, 6/11, 11/7, 11/6 to make it to the final.All-Jamaica Under-17 boys’ champion Jake Mahfood also proved his mettle by rebounding from an opening- round loss to Smith. The fiery teenager came back to beat veteran Joey Levy 11/8, 12/10, 11/6 and then followed it up with an 11/2, 6/11, 11/8, 11/5 win over Bruce Levy.In the final, Mahfood took a commanding lead by winning the first two games; but then Morrison roared back to answer his junior national teammate shot-for-shot and eventually sealed the victory 6/11, 8/11, 11/8, 11/5, 11/7.Bruce Levy took third place after Smith conceded due to injury. The players were tied at 10-10 in the third game with Smith up 11/5, 11/3 when the Under-19 Caribbean champion suffered a dramatic mishap and had to withdraw from the match.In the ladies draw, squash queen Karen Anderson beat All Jamaica and Caribbean Under-15 girls champion and reigning All Jamaica Ladies Champion Alyssa Mullings in the final. In a highly anticipated match, Anderson, the 12-time All Jamaica Ladies Champion, proved she still had the goods by dismissing the rising star 11/9, 11/8, 11/9. In addition, former senior national team player Tracy Binnie beat Melissa Lue-Yen 11/9, 11/2, 12/10.“It was great to see the junior players stepping up and the youngsters did well to make it through the first stage of qualification,” Gill Binnie, Secretary of the Jamaica Squash Association (JSA), explained.“The next stage will be even more challenging, but they have served notice to the senior players that they are prepared to fight for a place on the national team,” she added.Morrison and Mahfood as well as Anderson, Mullings, Lue-Yen and Binnie will go on to compete in the final-round of qualification for the CAC and Commonwealth Games which will be held in April 2014. All-Jamaica Under-17 squash champion Jake Mahfood (tight) accepts his trophy from First Vice- President of the Jamaica Squash Association Chris Hinds, after placing second in the first-round qualifier for the 2014 Caribbean and Central American (CAC) Games and the 2014 Commonwealth Games.All Jamaica Under-19 squash champion Julian Morrison (right) receives his trophy from First Vice-President of the Jamaica Squash Association, Chris Hinds, after winning the first round qualifier for the 2014 Caribbean and Central American (CAC) Games and the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

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Junior squash champs Morrison, Mahfood win CAC, Commonwealth Games qualifier

Jamaica finish third at Caribbean Squash Champs

Sport

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Jamaica were third overall at the 2013 Caribbean Area Squash Association’s (CASA) Senior Championships following a third place finish by the men in the team competition.The Jamaican men took the bronze after losing 4-1 to tournament favourites, Guyana last night.The team fought bravely but couldn’t get past the regional kingpins who were buoyed by a vibrant home crowd.After Julian Morrison lost 11/8, 11/9, 11/7 to Jamaal Callender and Bruce Levy was beaten 11/5, 11/5, 11/9 by Jason Khalil, the pressure was on Caribbean Champion, Chris Binnie to keep Jamaica’s hopes alive.Binnie delivered by beating Sunil Seth 9/11, 11/6, 11/1, 11/6; but then Dane Schwier lost 3/11, 11/7, 11/5, 11/6 to Alex Arjoon and Bruce Burrowes lost 11/3, 11/9, 9/11, 11/2 to Richard Chin.The loss to Guyana took Jamaica out of contention for first place and then, following the round robin tally, the team placed third, losing the second spot to Cayman by one game.However, the third place finish marks an improvement over last year when the men were fifth. Also, on Friday, Jamaica finished third in the ladies competition which helped to push the team into the bronze medal position overall.In addition, Chris Binnie finished the competition with a perfect slate for the second consecutive year. Playing 10 matches in seven days, the four-time All Jamaica and Caribbean Men’s Champion remained undefeated.

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Jamaica finish third at Caribbean Squash Champs

Smith cops U19 title as J"can juniors blaze at Carib Squash Champs

Jamaica’s Junior team captain Ashante Smith pulled off a spectacular come-from-behind win on Wednesday night to claim the Under-19 Boys’ title at the Caribbean Area Squash Association’s (CASA) Junior Championships currently under way in Trinidad and Tobago.

The in-form teenager grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat, rallying from a two-game deficit to stun local hero Mandela Patrick. Battling his opponent and a boisterous home crowd, Smith dug deep to beat Patrick 5/11, 8/11, 13/11, 11/7, 11/4. The victory allowed Smith to end his junior playing career on a high note, claiming his first regional title before officially moving to the senior ranks.“I couldn’t be more proud of Ashante,” said Rene Denis, national junior squash coach. “It took heart and guts to come back from two down and when he scored the winning point, if I hadn’t been screaming so loudly I would have been crying.”Buoyed by Smith’s win, the Jamaican boys delivered a series of blistering performances to trample regional kingpins Guyana in the first round of the team competition yesterday.All Jamaica Under-17 champion Jake Mahfood roared back from early elimination in the individual competition to defeat the newly crowned Under-17 Caribbean champion Nyron Joseph 11/5, 11/5, 7/11, 12/10.In a similar vein, All Jamaica Under-19 champion Julian Morrison beat Stephen Xavier 11/6, 11/8, 15/13 to avenge his defeat earlier this week in the individual competition at the hands of the Guyanese player.The victories continued with team captain Smith, who again showed his grit, battling through another gruelling five-setter to beat JC Jeffrey 17/15, 9/11, 8/11, 17/15, 11/9.All Jamaica Under-15 champion Tahjia Lumley lost 4/11, 5/11, 8/11 to Ben Mendecki, and Under-13 champion Adam Ardito went down to Shomari Wiltshire 11/9, 6/11, 5/11, 4/11.However, with wins from Smith, Mahfood and Morrison, Jamaica claimed top points and bragging rights over their age-old rivals.Another round of victories came in the Girls’ team competition where Jamaica easily beat the OECS. Reigning All Jamaica and Caribbean Under-15 champion Alyssa Mullings barely broke a sweat to dispatch Thani Myers 11/2, 11/3, 11/4, while Mira Handa trounced Giovanni Alexander 11/2, 11/3, 11/1.Ashley Lynch bulldozed Deiriar Myers 11/6, 11/1, 11/1 and team captain Jessica Perkins defeated Gianna Alexander 11/4, 11/7, 11/5.The team competition continues today when the Jamaican boys will face the OECS and the girls will take on Cayman and Trinidad & Tobago.

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Smith cops U19 title as J"can juniors blaze at Carib Squash Champs

Jamaica post early wins at Caribbean Squash Champs

Sport

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Jamaica’s squash team yesterday started its campaign at the 2013 Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championships on an encouraging note with several wins across the board.Jamaica’s two Under-15 boys registered victories with All Jamaica champion Tahjai Lumley beating Trinidadian Carl Miller 3-0, while Jonathan Walker defeated Alex Cheeks of Guyana 3-0.Similarly, All Jamaica Under-13 Boys’ champion Adam Ardito posted an easy win over Anthony Islam, beating the Guyanese player 3-0. And in the Girls’ competition, Under-15 contender Sarah Conway beat Savannah Mendes of Guyana 3-1.Reigning All Jamaica and Caribbean Under-15 champion Alyssa Mullings was set to begin her title defence last night; while All Jamaica Under-19 champion Julian Morrison, Under-17 champion Jake Mahfood and team captain Ashante Smith will bow into action today.The 2013 Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championships will run until July 28.

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Jamaica post early wins at Caribbean Squash Champs

Jamaica in 4 finals at Caribbean Junior Squash Champs

Sport

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

JAMAICA’S Junior squash players have made it to four of the eight finals being contested at the Caribbean Area Squash Association’s (CASA) Junior Championships now under way in Trinidad and Tobago.All Jamaica Under-13 champion Mia Mahfood, Under-15 contender Jonathan Walker, team captain Ashante Smith and local squash star Alyssa Mullings will all play for the top prize in their various age groups today.Reigning All Jamaica Under-15 champion Alyssa Mullings sailed into the final following easy wins in the quarters and the semi-finals. The defending Under-15 Caribbean champion made short work of her quarter-final round opponent Olivia Lindsay, beating the Bermudian, 11/1, 11/4, 11/3, and then dispatching Alexandria Yearwood of Trinidad in the semi-finals 11/2, 11/5, 11/2.The win brings the 14-year-old Mullings one step closer to completing a personal hat-trick, as she seeks to retain her regional crown, having already taken the All Jamaica Junior and Senior titles this year. Mullings will face Barbadian Amanda Haywood in the final today.Mahfood beat Makeeda Harding of Guyana 11/4, 11/7, 11/9 in the quarters and then dismissed Charlotte Toogood of Bermuda 11/6, 11/6, 11/2 in the semi-finals. The 11-year-old will now face Barbadian, Megan Best as she goes for her first regional title.Similarly, Walker fought off Shermane Griffiths in the quarter-finals, beating the Barbadian 12/14, 12/10, 11/7, 11/2, and then beat Dylan Pratt of Bermuda 11/6, 11/3, 11/7 in the semi-finals. The Jamaican will go head-to-head with Ben Mendecki of Guyana for the Under-15 Championship.Team captain Ashante Smith was also in top form, easily dismissing Zaki Williams of Barbados 11-3, 11-2, 11-2 to book a spot in semi-finals where he promptly dismissed Guyana’s JC Jeffrey 11/4, 9/11, 11/6, 11/1. Smith will do battle against Mandela Patrick of Trinidad and Tobago today.The Championships end on July 28.

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Jamaica in 4 finals at Caribbean Junior Squash Champs

Junior Squash gets timely boost from Burger King

JAMAICA’S team to the 2013 Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championships received a timely $400,000 boost from restaurant franchise Burger King during yesterday’s squad announcement at the Liguanea Club.

The Jamaicans, coached by Canadian Rene Denis, depart tomorrow for the July 22-28 tournament in Trinidad & Tobago.A total of eight teams, including eight-time reigning overall champions Guyana, are set to participate in the competition, which is regarded as an integral stepping stone for young players.The tournament will comprise age groups ranging from Under-13s, Under-15s, Under-17s to Under-19s. It will be split into male and female categories, as well as individual and team competitions.Denis, who started working with the team in February, expressed confidence that Jamaica can improve on their fourth overall placing on home soil last year.He noted that the players are “a lot stronger” than earlier in the year, and added that they have developed into more “tactical and patient” competitors.“I think their chances are very good. I think we have a reasonable chance of winning the Under-19, Under-17 and Under-15 as Boys’ and possibly the Under-13s. In the Girls’, we should win the Under-15 and possibly the Under-13s,” he said.Denis picked out tall-framed Alyssa Mullings as “the powerhouse of the Caribbean” after her recent dominance at both the youth and senior levels.Nicholas Mundell, Burger King’s sponsorship manager, emphasised his company’s “continued support” in youth development and in sporting programmes that “sets the foundation for the future”.Officials said the sponsorship from the fast-food giant assisted the team with clothing kits and other gear.Aside from Burger King’s contribution, the Jamaica Squash Association (JSA) also received assistance from sports clothing manufacturer 305 Squash.Squads: Females — Jessica Perkins, Sarah Conway, Mira Handa, Michaelann Denton, Alyssa Mullings, Ashley Lynch, Mia Lake, Mia MahfoodMales — Ashante Smith, Adam Ardito, Alex Wright, Jake Mahfood, Joe Rousseau, Jonathan Walker, Julian Morrison, Tahjia Lumley.Burger King’s Brand Manager Nicholas Mundell (left) presents a symbolic cheque of $400,000 to junior squash male captain Ashante Smith (right) as team manager Gill Binnie (second left) and female captain Jessica Perkins look on yesterday at the Liguanea Club. (PHOTO: ASTON SPAULDING)

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Junior Squash gets timely boost from Burger King

Top seeds advance at All Ja Senior Squash Champs

Sport

Thursday, July 11, 2013

THE top seeds, including 13-time men’s champion Wayne Burrowes and last year’s runner-up Bruce Burrowes, all advanced comfortably on the first day of play at the 2013 All Jamaica Squash Championships which is currently under way at the Liguanea Club in Kingston.Revered veteran Wayne Burrowes dispatched David Patterson 11/9, 11/8, 11/7 to book a spot in the quarter-finals. The victory gives Burrowes an opportunity to seek revenge against his son Bruce, who has eliminated him from the championships for the last two years.However, it will be a hard fought battle for the elder Burrowes, as Bruce Burrowes displayed impressive form in his opening match, dismissing Fitzroy Smith 11/6, 11/6, 11/5 to set up a rematch with his father.Also advancing was Under-19 champion Julian Morrison, who wore down Gerry Wright 11/5, 12/10, 11/2, to register a win.Other top-ranked players, including the number one seed defending champion Chris Binnie, were slated to bow into action yesterday. Binnie was to take on Stephen McConnell in his opening match; while 2009 men’s champion Dane Schwier was to have opposed veteran Joey Levy.In-form junior players All Jamaica Under-17 champion Jake Mahfood and former Under-19 champion Ashante Smith were also down to take to the courts yesterday. Mahfood was up against Bruce Levy; while Smith was to go head to head with Tommy Lee.The women’s competition, which will feature defending champion Lauren Mahfood, 2010 winner Brooke Burrowes and Under-15 girls champion Alyssa Mulling, kicks off today.

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Top seeds advance at All Ja Senior Squash Champs