In an exciting upset, L.J. Barnes, based in New Kru Town, triumphed over J.J. Ross High School with a 25-18 victory in the opening game of the 2024/2025 Inter-School Sports Association (ISSA) basketball league early this week. The game took place at the Open-Air Sports Commission’s facility on Board Street, with L.J. Barnes emerging as the surprise victors.
Entering the match as underdogs, L.J. Barnes managed to defeat J.J. Ross by a seven-point margin, signaling their strong entry into this year’s ISSA basketball league. The win was a significant statement from the New Kru Town School, showcasing their potential to challenge the top teams in the competition.
Head Coach Thomas Derea, who was taking charge of L.J. Barnes for the first time, expressed confidence in his team’s performance, calling the victory a result of hard work and dedication during training. “We could have won by a wider margin, but my players did not fully capitalize on the chances they had,” Derea said. “This win shows that we are prepared and ready for the competition ahead.”
Despite being new to the role, Coach Derea remained optimistic about the future. He assured the school’s sports department that he would focus on improving the team’s shooting accuracy in their upcoming matches. “Today’s game was my first as head coach. I’m proud of how the team played and their ball control against J.J. Ross,” Derea said. “It’s a message to our opponents that we are contenders for the title.”
The victory was celebrated not only by the players and coach but also by L.J. Barnes’ Vice Principal for Instruction, Bobby Gray, who commended the team and Coach Derea for the impressive performance. “This win is a huge accomplishment for the team,” Gray said. “We will continue to support our players with better sports equipment and medical care to ensure their success in the tournament.”
With their season off to a strong start, L.J. Barnes is now a team to watch in the 2024/2025 ISSA basketball league as they aim to continue their momentum and challenge the league’s top teams.