KC’s fledgling Lacrosse team are the 2020 Taino Cup champions.
It is KC’s second Lacrosse championship title, which follows the 2018 title, and the team has been in three of the four finals. KC was declared 2020 champions, based on superior statistics, as the finals against Jamaica College was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. KC defeated Jamaica College 5-4 in a closely contested match earlier in the season, and trounced defending champions St. Georges College 12-0.
Coached by the dynamic, Kenneith Subratie, a KCOB, the team has been a model of consistency since its inception, and has continued KC’s proud tradition of dominating almost every high school competition.
“It takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice to achieve success, and the boys trained really hard including on holidays”, says coach Subratie.
“I knew nothing about lacrosse. The boys kept asking me on three occasions to coach them when I was coordinating Grade 10 in my second teaching year at KC. I had to use the Internet to study the sport, and afterward I told them “yes” I would coach them. The rest as they say is history.
There is ALWAYS need for equipment, sticks and balls especially, then boots. We have NEVER played a season in lacrosse boots. We have always used football boots. In addition, protective pads are needed. We have enough helmets for another season. I think the saddest part for me is seeing the boys train and at the end of training have nothing to eat. This has been the case for 4 years. The PTA came on board for one year in 2018 and assisted with cooked lunches on Saturdays, but that was it. During the school week when the boys train there is nothing for them to eat. On weekends, three parents assist greatly by voluntarily purchasing food items. They even cook sometimes. I never asked them. I was/am very grateful to them”, says Subratie.
The team’s standouts include, among others, scholarship recipients, Samuel Henry, the team’s captain, who will become a pioneer as the first Jamaican to play lacrosse at Missouri Valley College, and Kiereek McLeod who will attend Point University in Georgia.
“For my first two seasons (2017 and 2018), I pretty much was doing everything for the team. I was coach and manager. I was spending out-of-pocket a lot to purchase fruits etc. for the boys at weekend trainings and on match days. There are always 20 boys who are picked for the squad so financially it was suicide for me. Each season runs from September to March so you can imagine how much I was spending in those two years. Stephen Thomas, his wife and Ms. Tracy Haughton came to the assistance of the team last season and helped with food, and supported the team at games. I fittingly assigned management titles to them”, explained Subratie.
In addition to the two championships, the team has an impressive combined overall record of 36 wins and 5 losses (88% win percentage) over the last 4 years.
2020 Match Results
Awarded victory as Campion forfeits
25-0 win over Hillel
5-4 win over JC
4-1 win over Calabar
17-0 win over Excelsior
10-0 win over Wolmers
12-0 win over STGC
Awarded victory as Penwood forfeits
8-3 win over STGC in semi-final
KC declared champions on statistics due to cancellation of finals caused by COVID-19
The 2020 KC Lacrosse team are indeed worthy champions, and their dedication and commitment to excellence, despite limited resources, epitomizes the Fortis spirit of courage in the face of adversity. The extended KC family applauds their success, and pledge our tangible support going forward.
Contributions to the KC Lacrosse team can be made by sending a check directly to the school at 2A North Street, Kingston 10, or via your local KCOBA with the donation earmarked “Lacrosse Team”.