Highley, James take f/ball awards

ARIMA SENIOR Comprehensive striker Gorean Highley and Malick’s defensive midfielder Nadia James were adjudged the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) “Most Valuable Players” for 2003 at Tuesday’s awards ceremony at the Rudranath Capildeo Learning Resource Centre, Couva. The diminutive Highley racked up 25 goals as he virtually shouldered the enormous burdens of his team during the season. James, for the second straight year, captained her side to the Girls Under-19 league and knockout titles as well as the National Intercol crown. Three of Highley’s schoolmates were included in the All Star First Team — defenders Real Didier and Christopher James, and utility player Jemmiel Smith.

And “Big 5” and Intercol champions St Anthony’s had three players earning selection — captain Julius James, stopper Yohance Marshall and midfielder/striker Kevon Neaves. Other players named in the All Star squad include QRC’s captain and, arguably, the season’s best goalkeeper Thorne Holder and Signal Hill’s attractive playmaker Keon Daniel. They join Highley, Neaves and Julius James in the Top Five. The Girls All Star squad featured a majority of national youth and senior players, including Nadia James, fellow Malick defender Anastasia Prescott, St George’s midfielder/striker Aveann Douglas, Diego Martin Secondary’s forward Maylee Attin-Johnson and Toco’s goalie Gail-Ann Thomas. Other All Star selectees were Malick’s striker Tanekar Alexander, Signal Hill’s pint-sized attacker Kenya Cordner, Malick’s midfielder Nyasha Reyes, Moruga’s midfielder Dernell Mascall, El Dorado Secondary’s winger Ayanna Russell and Holy Name’s defender Katrina Meyer.

All Star Teams —
Boys (First Team): Goalkeepers — Thorne Holder, Declan Squires (Fatima); Defenders — Real Didier, Christopher James, Yohance Marshall, Keegan Mills (Scarborough), Ancil Farrier (Naparima); Midfielders — Kevon Neaves, Julius James, Jemmiel Smith, Keon Daniel, Kezi Lara (Naparima); Strikers — Gorean Highley, Ateba Forde (Naparima), Lyndon Luke (Princes Town), Andy Hagley (Mayaro), Shane Calderon (St Augustine).
(Second Team): Goalkeepers — Kegan Davidson (St Anthony’s), Devon Thomas (St Augustine); Defenders — Patrick Winchester (Scarborough), Kareem Freitas (St Anthony’s), Jesse Martinez (Arima), Lyndel Pompey (Naparima), Carlon Roberts (Mayaro); Midfielders — Jason Devenish (QRC), Brenton De Leon (Naparima), Clevon George (St Anthony’s), Devon King (Arima),
Josimar Belgrave (Fatima); Strikers — Dorean Daniel (Arima), Kern Robinson (Naparima), Simba Aberdeen (QRC), Abiola Sandy (St Anthony’s), Devon Drayton (St Benedict’s).
Girls: Goalkeepers — Kelly-Ann Foderingham (Diego Martin), Gail-Ann Thomas; Defenders — Nadia James, Ayanna Russell, Katrina Meyer, Kimi Forrester (Moruga), Shantelle Regis (Diego Martin); Midfielders — Dernell Mascall, Nyasha Reyes, Anastasia Prescott, Afiya Castle (Malick), Kenya Cordner; Strikers — Tanekar Alexander, Aveann Douglas, Maylee Attin-Johnson, Julie Lorraine (Moruga), Ashya Gibbons (Malick). Honourable Mention — Keriffa Harris (Fyzabad), Kia Rigsby (St Francois), La Toya Castillo (Malick), Tyechia John (Diego Martin), Joseann Boyce (Signal Hill).