JAMAICA'S JUNIOR Sunshine Girlz are on the brink of losing their first Caribbean Netball Association Under-16 Champion-ship crown.
Dubbed the Jean Pierre Under-16 tournament, the Girlz went to St. Kitts as the favourites but last night, playing against Barbados, the only other unbeaten team in the competition, the girls were edged out 26-24.
The game was a low-scoring one with turnovers being high as both teams sought to shut out the other.
With one game to go in the tournament, the championship is almost a foregone conclusion as Barbados will play against Grenada today.
The Grenadians have very little chance against Barbados, which would mean that Barbados could be crowned Caribbean champions for the first time in a tournament that has involved the Jamaicans at this level.
TEAM PANICKED
According to team manager Arlene Findlay, her team panicked at a critical stage, costing them the coveted title.
"The girls were just nervous," Findlay said of the five-time champions.
"In the last quarter when they fell down by three, they panicked and started creating turnovers. Even the shooter who normally stays in the circle and waits for the ball began coming out and chasing," she said.
Jamaica now have St. Kitts to play in their final game today at 5:15 p.m. (Jamaica time).
