Photo by LeVaughn Flynn
Excelsior's Dario McHayle (centre) tries to negotiate between Donald Quarrie's Odaene Davidson (left) and Marcell Powell, while Mikhail Robinson looks on, in their ISSA/KFC High School Basketball League match at Excelsior yesterday. McHayle scored 23 points to lead Excelsior to a 54-44 win.

LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

Although missing inspirational point guard Christopher Villas, Excelsior High maintained their perfect record with a 54-44 win over Donald Quarrie High yesterday at home in the ISSA/KFC High School Basketball League.

Sixteen-year-old Villas left the island yesterday on a basketball scholarship and will represent Southside Baptist Christian School in Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A.

Two other Jamaican student-athletes - Melvin Robinson of St. George's College and Omari Williams of Calabar - will represent Southside Baptist and are scheduled to leave today.

All three youngsters were spotted at the annual Star Search Basketball Camp.

Scrappy win

Villas' leadership was sorely missing in Excelsior's scrappy win as they struggled to get the ball in the offensive half. What saved them was that their numerous turnovers were soon negated as Donald Quarrie also had problems maintaining possession.

Excelsior's lanky centre Dario McHayle had little challenge inside and easily collected a team-high 23 points and 16 rebounds. Joel Wedderburn chipped in with 17 points and 11 rebounds as Excelsior notched their fourth straight win.

Donald Quarrie's Mikhail Robinson was a one-man show as he carried his team through all four quarters. His 23 points, eight rebounds and eight steals proved too little as Donald Quarrie slipped to their third loss in four games.