Bell wins marathon battle as Long Ball Squash Tournament delivers thrilling finale

Jerazeno Bell emerged as the champion of Jamaica Squash’s second Long Ball Tournament after surviving a thrilling three-game contest against Joey Levy at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston.

The final lived up to its billing as two undefeated players entered the championship match determined to leave everything on the court. In a contest decided by the narrowest of margins, Bell edged Levy 2-1 after a dramatic deciding game that required a sudden-death point to separate the competitors.

The victory marked Bell’s successful run through a tournament format that rewards control, discipline, and tactical patience rather than simply attacking for quick winners.

Bell starts strong before Levy responds

The opening game saw Bell immediately seize control, building early momentum and forcing Levy into a difficult chase.

Bell opened the scoring advantageously, racing ahead before Levy managed to get his first point on the board. Throughout the game, Levy struggled to maintain the required depth, with several attempts falling short and allowing Bell to dictate the pace.

Bell eventually secured the first game 11-8.

The second game produced a shift in momentum as Levy adjusted his approach and began applying more pressure.

Both players made errors with short balls, but Levy remained composed and minimized his mistakes. After leading throughout the game, he closed out an 11-9 victory to force a deciding third game.

Final game becomes a test of nerve

The championship was decided in a tense third game that showcased the competitiveness of both players.

The lead changed hands repeatedly as neither competitor was willing to surrender control. Every rally became a battle of endurance and accuracy, with both players pushing deep into the court and searching for the smallest opening.

Eventually, the score reached 10-10, forcing a sudden-death point.

After a long, exhausting rally, Bell found the decisive point and secured the final game 11-10, completing a 2-1 victory and claiming the 2026 Long Ball Tournament title.

Bell highlights the strategy behind Long Ball squash

Unlike traditional squash, Long Ball requires players to rely heavily on depth, patience, and consistency.

The format removes certain attacking options and places greater emphasis on controlling rallies from the back of the court.

Bell explained that the tournament demands a different mindset from players.

“In normal squash you're allowed to play drop ball, so you go for a lot more winners but this here is more technical skills required to keep the ball as deep as possible.

“It also helps in the general aspect of your game, helps you to understand how to be patient and keep the ball as deep as possible. So it’s a great tournament and I hope they continue to build with it.”

The champion was also pleased with his own performance and the challenge presented by his opponent.

“It’s a great tournament. The format of course calls for a little more technical skills, it’s not heavily dependent on the physical part of it,” Bell said.

“Joey is a great player, a well-known past national player and one of the top senior men so it was great. The tournament was good and it’s good to come out on top this time around.”

Levy returns from injury with strong runner-up finish

For Levy, the tournament represented an important return to competitive action after spending five months sidelined with injury.

Although disappointed to come within one point of victory, he praised the event and the opportunity to compete again.

“It was fun. It was a great tournament. First of all I want to thank the association for putting it on,” Levy said.

“Long Ball is as you know, you play half the court. It sounds like it should be easier but it actually makes everything longer because you can’t play the drop shots which are your normal winners.”

Levy admitted that reaching the final was a positive step after his lengthy absence.

“I felt good. I’ve been out for like five months. So just coming back in and it was good to get to the final. A little disappointing to get within one point of winning and not taking it home, but I’m happy anyway.”

The experienced player also reflected on the tactical adjustments he made throughout the match.

“So the first game I was probably a little passive, kind of waiting for things to happen,” Levy explained.

“The second game I decided to try and take the ball a little earlier, put a little more pressure on Jerry and it paid off.

“I tried the same thing in the third but the legs started to fade a little bit so it was a little harder. Mainly just trying to put the pressure on him, take the ball a little earlier and pick up the pace a little bit.”

Boreland secures third place finish

While Bell and Levy dominated the spotlight in the final, Nathlee Boreland also produced a strong tournament performance, finishing third after defeating Stewart Maxwell, who ended the competition in fourth place.

The successful staging of the second Long Ball Tournament highlighted Jamaica Squash’s continued efforts to introduce innovative formats that test players’ technical ability and tactical awareness.

For Bell, the title represented more than a trophy, it was proof that patience and precision can be just as powerful as attacking flair.