JuniorSharks Semi finals: Manna Int. Vrs Kotoka JHS

One question only ran through the minds of fans and viewers when Kotoka JHS locked horns with Manna Int. School.

Which school was going to be the first to book a grand finale spot of Junior Sharks Season Four?

This first clash of the semi-final episodes promised another gruelling battle characteristic of two highly-rated schools. Manna Int. have been so close, yet so far from the ultimate.

They have missed out narrowly at the grand finale on three previous occasions. On all three occasions, they commiserated for a 2nd runner-up position instead. On the flip side, Kotoka JHS are not unaccustomed to semi-finals either.

The Burma Camp-based knocked at the doors of a first grand finale appearance in Junior Sharks 3. I wouldn't bat an eye lid as such a contest unfolds. Would you?

Round 1

The lot fell on Kotoka Int. to start Round 1: Welhemina, Israel Doe, Gerrald and Abu the young 'cadets' poised for action.

For the nth time, fans and viewers were treated to a somewhat familiar story. It was Abubakar, who's emerged the standard bearer of his team who was holding aloft the flag of Kotoka JHS.

Boldness being his second nature and backed by an unwavering voice, he tackled most questions. In similar fashion to their last contest, however, many of the answers missed their target.

After the eight questions were exhausted, he had managed a sub-par thirty (30) points for Kotoka Int. The thirty (30) points in Round 1 of this contest follows same score in Round 1 of the quarterfinals.

Undoubtedly, the first Round has been the drawdown in Kotoka's efforts. The experienced Manna Int., Breman-Kumasi, readied themselves and went to work with their set of questions.

Team work is one of the strengths of Manna. Int, and they used it to good effect. Natalie, Ivy, Vincent and Kwadwo conferred and deliberated in unison before answers were delivered.

The telepathic understanding of the team notwithstanding, Natalie must be singled out for lavish praise. At the end, their efforts were rewarded with a substantial sixty (60) points.

Round 2

Another familiar routine was to play out again in the camp of Manna Int. In this round. John Kusi, the "bull terrier" entered the fray to replace Natalie. Fans and viewers were to witness one of the most fiercely fought rounds in Sharks Season Four.

Abu and John were in their elements and with the backing of teammates, both schools strut the stuff they are made of. After the jostling for crucial points, Kotoka emerged superior with forty-five (45) points as Manna paced closely with thirty (30) points.

Round 3

There was to be another substitution before the Round commenced. This time, Christabel replaced Welhemina for Kotoka. Manna Int. picked first question of the Round correctly-Kotoka followed suit. Again, the agility and sharpness of contestants turned this round to be one of the quickest rounds ever seen in Junior Sharks 4.

Except for two questions that were fully read and drew either a wrong answer or no answer at all, all questions were attempted midstream. So quick were the buzzers that Manna buzzed to answer the last question of the Round even before Quiz Master uttered a word. And when question was read, the answer they had in mind was right. That is stuff legends are made of-SUPER!

The scores at the end of Round once again showed that Manna had regained control. They had a score of thirty-five (35) points while Kotoka tagged along with twenty-five (25) points.

Round 4

A little bit of background will situate the chances of both schools in their proper perspective. Both schools boast enormous strength in this one-on-one Round. In their last contests, Manna Int. scored a massive sixty (60) points en route to dumping DPS out. Kotoka also had forty (40) in their contest, a very big score that propelled them to victory against Eden.

As per the norm of the one-on-one Round, English experts were Christabel and Vincent for Kotoka and Manna Int. respectively. Vincent picked the first question, leaving Christabel clearly flummoxed. But when he bundled the second question, Christabel figured out the trick embedded in the question and unlocked it. John Kusi, who needs no introduction faced Israel in the Math section for Manna and Kotoka respectively. John hit the wrong answer, while Israel followed with a mindless answer that drew laughter from Quiz Master. It is fair to say that if John doesn't get it right in Math, then no one else will.

That was the story of the second question when he got it wrong. Israel had all the time in the world to work out some magic, but he got belled out.

Science specialists were Kwadwo for Manna International and Gerrald for Kotoka. Kwadwo hit the buzzer after a long read, and nailed it. Their answers to the second question were ruled as incorrect. General Knowledge doyens, Abubakar and Ivy Baidoo showed up next. It wasn't to be Abu's day as he missed the national anthem that was played for the purposes of identification. Ivy got it right as being that of Nigeria instead of Abu's United States of America. Abu made amends and buzzed to identify the photo of the President of Ukraine, the indefatigable Vlodomir Szlensky.

At the end of Round 4, Kotoka trailed again with twenty (20) points while Manna was good for thirty (30) points. Final score, Manna International: One hundred and fifty-five (155) points. Kotoka JHS, One hundred and twenty (120) points. After three unsuccessful attempts, Manna Int. were in their first finale-only a stone throw away from glory.


#Sharks@5 is endorsed by the Ministry of Education and brought to you by kind sponsorship of Kellogg's.

Supported by: Academic City College, Family Health Medical School, Lewis University, Vivo Energy, Indomie, Schweppes, Ashesi University and Chopbox.