Despite the economic state of the island of Grand Bahama, Freeport Oil Company Limited once again sponsored this year's FOCOL Jr. Tennis Tournament, at the Lucayan Bath and Racquet Club, this past weekend. Though somewhat smaller than previous years, Tournament Director Godfrey 'Gully' Bowe has deemed this tournament a success. Junior players from Grand Bahama and New Providence were involved in some very competitive matches as they competed for boys and girls singles and doubles titles. As a Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) sanctioned event, juniors were given the opportunity to gain points toward their national ranking. Under perfect weather conditions boys and girls 10s-and-under played for the first time in this tournament, using the low compression ball in  a round-robin format. In the boys division, number one ranked Kofi Bowe, from Freeport, defeated number three Jacobi Bain, from Nassau, in the final in straight sets, 4-2 and 5-3. In the girls 10s, Donesha Gibson, from Freeport, defeated D'Andrea Dawkins, from Nassau, in the finals, 4-2 and 4-2. Surprisingly, this year's boys 12s was contested by two eight-year-olds. Number three ranked Kofi Bowe defeated unranked Jacobi Bain in a close match, 6-3, 4-6 and 11-9. In the girls and boys 14s, number one ranked Iesha Shepherd, from Nassau, defeated number three ranked Shaytonya Missick, 6-1 and 6-0, and Justyn Thompson, from Freeport, defeated Harold Pierre Jr., also from Freeport, 6-0 and 6-0. In the girls 16s, number three ranked Gabriella Bowe, from Freeport, defeated Iesha Shepherd, 6-2 and  6-1, and number six ranked Philip Major Jr., from Nassau, defeated number three ranked Treajh Ferguson, from Nassau, 6-2 and 6-2. Philip Major Jr. and Treajh Ferguson met again in the boys 18s with Major defeating Ferguson again, this time, 6-2 and 4-1 (retired). The doubles action was an example of tennis at it best. In the boys 14s, the team of Denali Nottage, seven, and Kofi Bowe, eight, defeated Tony Cooper Jr., 14, and Harold Pierre Jr., 12, 8-5. In the boys 18s final Philip Major Jr. and Treajh Ferguson defeated Justyn Thompson and Julio Valdez, 8-1. Grand Bahama Tennis Association (GBTA) President Charmaine Wallace expressed her sincere gratitude to the tournament's sponsor, Freeport Oil Company Limited, and the players who participated in the event. She stated that events such as these help to keep the youth of The Bahamas focused, disciplined and motivated. FOCOL TENNIS Tournament ResultsGirls 10s Donesha Gibson defeated D'Andrea Dawkins, 4-2 and 4-2. Boys 10s Kofi Bowe defeated Jacobi Bain, 4-2 and 5-3. Boys 12s Kofi Bowe defeated Jacobi Bain, 6-3, 4-6 and 11-9. Girls 14s Iesha Shepherd defeated Shay'Tonya Missick, 6-1 and 6-0. Girls 16s Gabriella Bowe defeated Iesha Shepherd, 6-2 and 6-1. Boys 16s Phillip Major defeated Treajh Ferguson, 6-2 and 6-1. Boys 18s Philip Major defeated Treajh Ferguson, 6-1 and 4-1 (retired). Boys 14s Doubles Denali Nottage and Kofi Bowe defeated Tony Cooper Jr. and Harold Pierre Jr., 8-5. Boys 18s Doubles Philip Major and Treajh Ferguson defeated Justin Thompson and Julio Valdez, 8-1.

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