Sunshine Girls set for series sweep
Published:Sunday | January 26, 2025 | 12:09 AM
Having already clinched the Margaret Beckford Trophy in their Sunshine Series against South Africa, the Sunshine Girls will enter today’s final match needing just a win to complete a sweep of their opponents at the National Indoor Sports Centre.
The Jamaicans have already decided the series with their back-to-back wins in the first two games of the three-game series leading into today’s finale.
The Sunshine Girls had opened the series with a 55-47 win in game one against the SPAR Proteas before extending their series lead to an unassailable 2-0 when they whipped South Africa in a commanding 59-47 victory in game two.
A main factor in Jamaica’s positive results has been the presence of Shimona Jok (née Nelson) who has been a dominant figure in the attacking circle.
Across both games, Jok has scored 73 goals from 76 attempts as she has masterfully filled the void left by the absence of veteran attackers Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard and Romelda Aiken-George.
Jok is expected to play yet another vital role in Jamaica’s final game as she will be supported on the other end of the court by defensive stalwarts captain Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Latanya Wilson, and Jodiann Ward.
Speaking after the title-deciding win, Sunshine Girls head coach Sasher-Gaye Henry said members of the team are high on confidence after their title-decider.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
However, she warns there is still work to be done as they gave up vital points in the final quarter of game two.
“It was just amazing and we are grateful for the win,” Henry stated. “I think we lost the last quarter, and I think it is something that we’ll have to look at, that is being consistent.”
Her opposite number, South Africa’s head coach Jenny Van Dyk, said despite having already lost the series, she is happy with the competition they have found against the Sunshine Girls.
Van Dyk is looking forward to the series finale as she believes for the team to improve, they will need to consistently compete against one of the world’s best teams.
“Obviously, we are disappointed but we want to play a game of netball where we can be competitive against the best teams in the world,” she said.
“The glimpses of greatness I saw today from my players says that there is definitely a lot that we can work on and improve on. Obviously, they (Jamaica) now have the title and they’ve clinched the series but every game is important. This gives us an opportunity to try something different and we’ll always go for the win.”
The match is set to begin at 6 p.m. after the under-21 Sunshine Girls take on South Africa under-21 in their series finale at 3 p.m.
The young Sunshine Girls, unlike their seniors, have lost their first two games with the SPAR Baby Proteas claiming the series win.
The under-21 Girls, who are using this series as preparation for the Netball World Youth Cup, lost their opening game in a staggering 31-61 before falling in the second encounter, 32-49.
Led by head coach Annett Daley, the young Sunshine Girls will be hoping they can end the series on a high note by snatching a positive result against their opponents.