[TENNIS]

2004 Independence Junior Tennis Championships
Monday January 19^th to Saturday January 31^st 2004
by Richie Hughes

The 2004 Independence Junior Tennis Championships were held from Monday January 19^th to Saturday January 31^st 2004 at the Tanteen Tennis Court in St. George’s. 

 This year's event was the 9^th consecutive edition of the championships which attracted a total of fifty-five (55) junior participants in eight divisions of singles and four divisions of doubles. 

 The matches were played from 2:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. on both Saturday January 24^th and January 31^st, 2004 for the two weeks of competition. 

 The round robin and knock-out formats were used in the tournament in some age categories.  This gave some of the players the opportunity to play a couple of matches, which is good for their development. 

 Here are the results of the different categories.

1.       Boys' 10 and Under Singles - Corey Wilson (Alpha Jr.) def. Yannik James (Westmorland Primary) 9-5

2.       Girls' 12 and Under Singles - Joselle Hercules (Alpha Jr.)    def. Anita Lewis (St. Louis R.C. Girls) 9-1

3.       Boys' 12 and Under Singles - Aaron Moses (Jr.) (Alpha Jr.) def. Joromir Charles (Alpha Jr.) 9-2

4.       Boys' 14 and Under Singles - Kevon Charles (GBSS) def. J’Amor Hercules (GBSS) 6-1, 6-1

5.       Girls' 14 and Under Singles - Lois Alexis (AHS) def. Gizelle Clarke (AHS) 6-3, 6-3

6.       Girls' 16 and Under Singles - Lois Alexis (AHS) def. Josanne Jeremiah (Westmorland Sec.) 6-4, 6-1

7.       Boys' 16 and Under Singles - Chad Mitchell (PBC) def. Colin Bishop (PBC) 6-2, 7-6

8.       Boys' 18 and Under Singles - Joel Mark (TAMCC) def. Anderson Edwards ((TAMCC) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2

9.      Boys' 12 and Under Doubles - A. Moses (Jr.) (Alpha)/S. Phillip (St. Geo. Anglican) def. J. Charles/J. Charles (Alpha) 9-1

10.    Boys' 14 and Under Doubles - K.Charles/J. Hercules (GBSS) def. D. Charles (PBC)/K. David (GBSS) 6-0, 6-3

11.    Girls' 18 and Under Doubles- L. Alexis (AHS)/G. Clarke (AHS) def. S. Alexander (SJCSG)/B. Fisher (Boca Sec.) 6-2, 3-6, 6-4

12.    Boys' 18 and Under Doubles - J. Mark/T. Prosper (TAMCC) def. A. Edwards (TAMCC)/B. Toussaint (GBSS) 6-2, 6-4

The matches were very close and competitive in the boys' 18 and under category with good match-ups in the quarter-finals between Timon Prosper and Joel Mark and Johann St. John and Brendel Toussaint. 

Brendel Toussaint and Anderson Edwards also had a great semi-final match.  In the girls' categories Lois Alexis was dominant, the likes of Gizelle Clarke, Josanne Jeremiah, Hannah Budhlall and Leah Joseph are continuing to improve. 

The girls in the 12 and under divisions are new but there is potential for improvement. 

In the Boys 14 and under category Kevon Charles and J’Amor Hercules continue to be dominant with the former refraining from entering the older age categories this tournament due to a slight knee injury. 

In the boys' 10 and under category, Corey Wilson and Yannik James were impressive and produced a wonderful final that lasted an hour and forty (40) minutes.  Alexander Hossle is quickly improving and shows lost of interest.

In Boys 12 and under category Aaron Moses (Jr.) stood out, but the likes of Joromir and Jarmal Charles, Finton Lewis, Andre Roberts and Shaheem Phillp are also talented and are improving steadily.

 However, the players need to work on the value of sportsmanship and continue to develop a more workman-like mentality to produce and playing the game.