East want revenge in All Star games
The Bermuda School Sports Federation will host the 33rd annual school East v West All Star Weekend tonight at the National Sports Centre at 4 p.m. And the East will be looking to exact some revenge as they were shut out on all four matches last year.
First up is the primary schools game and East coaching camp, led by Quincy Aberdeen, seem quite confident that they have the personnel to wrestle the title back from the west. They will look to KO Cup Final MVP Jerome Bailey to lead the charge in what's always the most intense match of the day.
The West boasts a wealth of talent as well and are well represented by the West Central powerhouses of Paget Primary, Saltus and West Pembroke. This match promises to be another tight affair with both teams determined to show all who reigns supreme in the Primary School ranks.
Next up will be the senior school girls who kick-off at 5.30 p.m.
As always this match will feature many players from the women's league as well as many players who represent Bermuda at the national level.
The West have never lost the senior girl match and they will be favourites to retain that win streak. They will be led by the dynamic Berkeley duo of Dominique Richardson and Donte Allen. The West will be coached long time ladies coach Wendell Furbert.
However, the East will be determined to overcome the odds and they will be led by CedarBridge star Julia Outerbridge and Saltus' Julesa Robinson.
The most entertaining match of the day may very well be the Middle School match at 7 p.m. The middle school knockout cup finals was a thoroughly entertaining match and cup final hat trick hero Jahquan Smith DeShields from Whitney Institute will hoping to make another impact on the 'Carpet'.
Teammate Shachkeil Burrows will look to control the game with his sublime passing and Clearwater's Dage Minors will be marshalling the defence alongside the towering Dale Eve of Whitney.
The West will look to Shakai Trott and Sandy's Ryan Hassell to crack the determined East defence. Goalkeeper Romario Foote of Saltus will look to repeat his magnificent performance in the cup finals to stop the East juggernaut. Willie White and Saltus's Fabio Pacheco will provide the force in the midfield.
The Senior school game will showcase many players who are regulars of the Premier league.
The players will all be looking to impress a few coaches who have flown in to watch the match. Chris Whalley and Jay Bentfield Lees-McRae will be looking for the next Khano Smith while Barry Slagle will represent division one school Wofford College from Spartanburg, South Carolina.
The East have been preparing hard for the match and it will be no surprise if they topple the slightly favorite West squad. MSA and PHC star Casey Castle will look to show everyone just why he won last years MVP crown.
The West also returns their MVP in the form of Southampton Rangers star Marquel Tankard.
The East will also rely on the hard working Saltus midfield duo of Caleb Crockwell of Dandy Town and Phillip Parsons of Boulevard.
The only one who may hold the key to victory however may be Akale Bean of CedarBridge Academy.
The utility player from Southampton Rangers could very well be featured in any position from goalkeeper to striker.
East coach Tim Figureido will have a tough task in deciding exactly where to play the versatile player.
The West are not without stars of their own.
Roger Lee of Warwick Academy and Southampton Eagles and Berkley's Jason Lee will look to provide the scoring touch for the West squad.
Hardworking midfielder Reiko Trott of Berkeley and Boulevard will go toe to toe with the East midfield.
His work rate was instrumental in Berkeley's victory over Saltus in the knockout finals where he scored twice and earned MVP honours.
