MONTEGO BAY, St James – The start of the ISSA/KFC Western Conference High school boys’ basketball championships has been pushed back by a week and will start next Thursday.

The championships were scheduled to begin yesterday but a spokesperson from the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) confirmed earlier this week that the start had been pushed back and the official launch will be held in Kingston next Monday.

Eleven schools, including two newcomers and three that are returning will take part in the Western Conference that will see Holland High and Cornwall College defending the Under 16 and Under 19 titles respectively.

Frome Technical High of Westmoreland and Green Pond High of St James will take part in the championships for the first time, while William Knibb Memorial, Maldon High and St James High will return after periods of absences.

While Frome Technical will be represented in both the Under 16 and Under 19 sections, Green Pond will field just one team, in the Under 16 section.

The other schools taking part in the Under 16 section are: Cornwall College, Herbert Morrison, Frome Technical, Spot Valley High, Muschett High, William Knibb, Green Pond and St James High.

The other Under 19 teams are: Rhodes Hall, Herbert Morrison, Spot Valley High, Muschett High, Frome Technical, William Knibb Memorial, Holland High and Maldon High.

The teams will play each other once in the first round before the top four teams on points advance to the semi-finals from which the winners will advance to the best of three finals.