FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- The championship match-ups in both the senior girls' and Family Island boys' divisions were decided yesterday as the Bahamas National High School Basketball Championships continued at the St. George's Gymnasium in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
In the girls' division, the Prince William Falcons scored two wins to book their spot in today's final.
In their first game, they knocked off the C.I. Gibson Rattlers, 32-24. They followed that up with a 57-52 win over the Tabernacle Baptist Falcons.
Ronyn Porter led the Falcons in scoring in both games. She scored 12 against the Rattlers and followed that up with 10 against Tabernacle.
"First of all we have to give God thanks for allowing us to be here," said Prince William Head Coach Terrence "Red Eye" McSweeny. "Being able to win two games in a day goes back to our offseason conditioning. Also, hats off to Tabernacle, they have been the best girls program in the country this year, so it's great that we were able to come out and build a comfortable lead early. Although they managed to claw their way back and make it a close one, we are just thankful we were able to hold on. We know that Doris Johnson is a tough program, but we are looking to come out and not only represent our program, but also the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) as well."
Prince William will move on to take on Doris Johnson in the championship game. Doris Johnson also turned back Tabernacle, 27-18.
Tanea Bowleg led the way for the Marlins with eight points. Briontae Riley chipped in with seven points, and Kovanique Rolle and Thyrell Thompson had four points apiece in the win.
"I was happy with our offense today. We have players who can score the ball, but it was our defense in the second half that was excellent tonight," said Kevon Spence, Head Coach of Doris Johnson. "Offense wins games, but defense wins championships. If we are going to win a championship it will be on the defensive end. We worked all year to get to this point. Nothing satisfies them unless they win and so we are happy to get to the finals, but we are keeping our excitement in because we want to be national champions once again. We just have to stay focused and play every possession until the clock expires."
In the Family Island Division, Abaco Central edged San Salvador All-Age, 39-34.
Darryl Russel led the way for Abaco with 14 points. Johnlay St. Hilaire and Dremeko McIntosh added nine points each.
"Our next game will be against Bimini and we know they have a team that really hustles, so we'll have to go out there and match their intensity," said Abaco Head Coach Ricardo Ferguson. "Next game we will look to press the ball and put some pressure on them. I'm not really too worried about our offense, because we can score off of our defense. I'm just focused on how we press, how our zones will run and the rest will take care of itself from there."
Bimini earned an automatic bid into today's Family Island final after they went undefeated in pool play.
The C.I. Gibson Rattlers played the St. George's Jaguars for the right to go to the championship game in the senior boys' division late last night, but the result of that game was unavailable up to press time. The Tabernacle Baptist Falcons are already secured of a spot in the championship game, and will play the winner of the game between the Rattlers and the Jaguars.
The Bahamas high school basketball nationals continue today at the St. George's Gymnasium.

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