HYDEL High and Ardenne High secured the advantage after game one of the KFC South Conference Schools basketball Under-19 and Under-16 finals, with victories over St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) and St Catherine High, respectively.

Hydel held off STATHS for a 50-38 win in the senior final, while Ardenne were too much for St Catherine High in their 66-54 win in the junior decider.

In the Under-19 final, Deano Hibbert led the Kurt Stewart-coached team with a game-high 20 points and he was well supported by Sekou Brown with 12 points.

Derron Dill led the scoring for STATHS with 14 points and five steals, and his best support came from Joel Smith with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Winning coach Stewart said it was a wonderful win for his team. “The boys are great individuals, they always try their best for me and they represent Hydel to the fullest.”

Hydel started the better of the teams, but STATHS came storming back midway the period and trailed by only one (11-12) after the first quarter.

A ding-dong battle continued over the next two quarters, with both teams exchanging the lead on numerous occasions, but neither was able to lead by more than four points.

Hydel led 23-22 at half-time, but stretched their lead to 38-32 at the end of the third period.

However, in the final stanza STATHS went to ‘bed’ and the St Catherine team, who also beat them in game one of the final last season before losing the series, capitalised on a number of unforced turnovers to take the match by a 12-point margin.

St Andrew’s coach Venrice Watson said Hydel have a fitter, more experienced team, but he is confident they can overturn the result like they did last year.

Earlier, in the junior final, Jovon Davis posted a game-high 30 points and 16 rebounds and Patrick Watson 14 points and eight rebounds as Ardenne High cruised to victory over St Catherine High.

Akeen Brooks was St Catherine’s topscorer with 23 points and 19 rebounds and his best support came from Kishawn Gibbons with 11 points and Jeauphare Ricketts with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

The first quarter was closely contested with Ardenne leading 14-12. But for the rest of the game the Basil Barrett-coached Ardenne High continued to extend their advantage.

At half-time they were ahead 30-23 and at the end of the third period they were in front 50-37, and although they lost the final quarter 16-18, their overall lead was never in jeopardy.

Game Two of the best-of-three series continues at the same venue tomorrow.