CHAMPIONS Holy Childhood rallied to beat Ardenne, 30-28, while Vauxhall eased past St Andrew High, 48-32, in the semi-finals of the ISSA South Conference schools basketball competition at the Stadium Courts last Friday.

Holy Childhood trailed for three quarters but rallied in the second semi-final.

Meanwhile, after a close start in the other game, Vauxhall pulled away for a comfortable victory to advance to their first ever final.

Holy Childhood, who are seeking their second straight hold on tht title, found Ardenne a tough customer in a close opening period, with Ardenne edging ahead 6-4.

The Basil Barret-coached Ardenne held their two-point edge entering half-time, after both teams had scored 11 points apiece in the second quarter, with the scores reaing 17-15.

Both teams struggled to get on the board in a low-scoring third quarter, but again Ardenne outscored their opponents 4-2 for a 21-17 lead entering the final quarter.

However, Holy Childhood showed their mettle in the final quarter, scoring 13 points to Ardenne’s seven, which gave the Oneil Brown-coached team a two-point lead at the final whistle.

Earlier, Vauxhall — led by Lotayne Hudson with 20 points and Abby-Gail Larmond with 13 and four rebounds — proved too much for St Andrew, for whom Tristina Harwood topscored with nine points.

Game One of the best-of-three final will be played tomorrow at the National Stadium Courts.