FORMER ISSA/KFC National Schools Basketball champions Belair High got their All-Island campaign off to winning starts with victories in the Senior and Junior Leagues yesterday.

The Manchester school stopped Calabar, 60-53, in the Senior match, thanks to 28 points from Earl Mowatt and 19 points and 18 rebounds from Paneil Reynolds.

Kavin Carthy topscored for Calabar with 17 points.

In the other Under-19 game, Herbert Morrison turned back Munro College, 51-47. Jamoi Richards posted 17 points and five steals for Herbert Morrison, while Dan-Omar Succie had a game-high 18 points, 12 rebounds and five steal for Munro.

However, the Senior match between hosts Ocho Rios High and Christiana was not played because the latter failed to show.

In the Junior League, champions Jamaica College started their defence on a losing note, 71-52 against Knox College at the National Stadium Courts.

Michael Johnson led the way for Knox with 39 points, while Ajani Alleyne topscored for the losers with 22.

At Church of the Nazarene, Belair — through 12 points and nine rebounds from Mark Perry — eased past York Castle High, 46-34.

York Castle’s leading scorer was Anif Garvey with 10 points.

Cornwall were also winners in the Juniors on the day, beating Munro, 50-45. Chrsitopher Smith led the way with 13 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocks.

Jordon Lawson was Munro’s topscorer with 17 points and five steals.

The competition continues tomorrow with Christiana versus Ardenne at Church of the Nazarene; Old Harbour versus Edwin Allen at Ocho Rios, and Calabar versus Mannings at the Stadium Courts in U-19 action.

In the Junior League it’s Belair versus last season’s beaten finalists Ardenne at Church of the Nazarene; Old Harbour versus Edwin Allen and St George’s College versus Munro at the Stadium Courts.