By TENAJH SWEETING
tsweeting@tribunemedia.net
THE CH Reeves Raptors are no strangers to the winners’ circle and championship podium.
The junior school has made their presence felt across a few sports in the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) and external local tournaments.
The sporting success of the school has extended across nearly two decades and they decided not only to celebrate the present, but their long-term success.
Officials and students gathered at the school this past Friday to celebrate their continued dominance in sports as a junior school. Sterling McPhee, principal of CH Reeves, talked about the Raptors’ continued success.
“We have come to recognise the hard work, not only of our athletes but of our coaches, and entire family here at CH Reeves,” he said.
In the name of school spirit, McPhee added that CH Reeves is the school of choice for not only sports but also academics and offered a special thanks to the coaching staff who went above and beyond in training the athletes.
The Raptors have been collecting championship hardware all season long. Their journey started with the GSSSA junior girls basketball championship, they then claimed the track and field championships and the junior girls also collected the victory at the Noble Preparatory Academy tournament (NPA).
For the GSSSA junior girls championship, the Raptors swept the HO Nash Lions to secure the win. Rickarra Beadle led the way for her team as she scored 22 points to secure the victory and Most Valuable Player honours.
However, her efforts did not go unnoticed as she was named the Top Female Athlete for the school.
Beadle was not only a force to be reckoned with on the basketball court, but she also represented her school during the volleyball, and softball season. She talked about how it felt to add another accomplishment to her collection. The young athlete said it felt awesome and she is grateful for it. Additionally, she gave special thanks to her coaches especially Varel Davis and Mr Johnson for all the hard work as well as her teammates.
The male top athlete of the year honors went to Stanley Pratt who claimed the award after competing in soccer, track, volleyball, and basketball. Pratt had a special motivation for competing in the various sporting disciplines. The multi-faceted athlete said it felt good to win the award and he thanked his parents as well as coaches. He added that his late father told him to be the best person he could be and he just wanted to follow what his father had said by competing.
The two athletes were gifted tickets a movie at the Fusion Superplex and will receive a full ensemble of their choice courtesy of Buttons Bridal and Formal Wear for their latest achievements.
Despite the brief hiatus due to COVID-19, the Raptors were able to pick up right where they left off at the 2023 GSSSA track and field championships. The school flexed their championship pedigree at the 30th edition of the track and field meet after leading the entire way for the win.
Among the other athletes celebrated at the Green Day Celebration were Rayniece Gibson, Andrewnique Smith, Esmaella Pauleon, Thayna Augustin, Fredricka Auguste, Tiara Wallace, Cassidy Fowler, Olesia Dryden, Rania Douglas, and Kizzinique Davis were all awarded for the under 13 girls.
For the under 13 boys, awards went to, Jermaine Moxey, B’Anthony Barr, Sylvanna Georges, Mario Lundy, Robert Delancy, Kevin Sinsurin, Tyqwon Woodside, and Denim Stuart. Other male athletes honored were Tavarus Roberts, Jamal Ferguson, and Navardo Allen.
For the under 15 division honors went to Deja Sands, Arian Dean, Raniyah Smith, Samantha Gottshalk, Sonaia Rolle, Britnie Poitier, Alexis Wright, Lavario Ferguson, Gabriel Deveaux, Decarliano Tinker, Denzil Clarke, David Douglas, Malik Dean, and Andrew Rolle. Other top performers awarded were Travon Moncur, DeAnte Joseph, Whitney Guerrier, and Neveah Stuart.
In attendance at Friday’s Green Day Celebration was also the Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture (MOYSC) Mario Bowleg and Floyd Armbrister of the ministry’s sports unit. They had some strong remarks and motivational words for the students and coaches.
“I congratulate the Raptors for being the GSSSA junior track and field champions for 2023 it is not just your accomplishments in track and field that make you great you are an athletic school with many great national coaches contributing to your excellence,” Bowleg said.
He credited the efforts of the CH Reeves head coach and GSSSA president Varel Davis and the other coaches of the school who have not only contributed to school success but also national sporting success.
Meanwhile, Armbister praised the efforts and prowess of the young Raptors and encouraged them to not only just focus on athletics but to also place emphasis on education. Armbrister along with the Minister noted that developing the youth from a younger age will help to develop better athletes from the start.
The Raptors will look to continue their GSSSA success in the 2023 soccer season.
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