MONTEGO BAY, St James — There will be a third and decisive game in both sections of the ISSA/KFC Western Conference boys basketball finals after Muschett High and Holland rallied to level their series in Wednesday’s second game of their best-of-three finals against Herbert Morrison Technical and Muschett, respectively, at the Montego Bay Cricket Club.

After a shock one-point loss in game one of the Under-16 decider which snapped their perfect record, Muschett responded by beating defending champions Herbert Morrison, 72-55, while Hugh Smith put on one of the best displays of shooting in a final to guide Holland to a dramatic 78-62 win which ended Muschett’s unbeaten run.

The decisive game threes will be played next Wednesday at Cricket Club.

Holland’s Smith scored 21 big points to keep their hopes alive of a first ever Under-19 title after being beaten, 64-47, in Monday’s game one at the venue.

After giving up the first two points, a statement-making dunk off a steal from Michael Schloss, who scored the opening basket in each of the four quarters, Holland scored the next 17 points and led by as many as 22 before Muschett made a run of their own to pull to within five points.

Holland, who had beaten Cornwall to take an important third place in the play-offs, then beat William Knibb in the semi-finals, led 27-6 after the first quarter and 40-24 at half-time before Muschett, led by Schloss’ game-high 25 points, chipped away to lead, 50-43, going into the fourth quarter.

A 12-0 run by Muschett at the start of the third quarter when Holland appeared to have dropped their intensity put some life into a game that threatened to get out of hand.

Additionally, a bad ankle sprain by Holland’s influential player, Kenrick Lindo, limited his mobility and a four-point play by Daniel Scott after he converted a free throw after scoring a three-pointer while being fouled, cut Muschett’s deficit to single digits for the first time at the end of the third quarter.

With Lindo favouring his injured ankle and Clifton Shettleworth having an off night, Holland’s Smith took over and two big three-pointers restored their double-digit cushion, and with three minutes to go, they were up, 65-53.

Lindo had 16 points, 20 rebounds and four blocked shots to complement Smith’s 21 points, while Gian Gray scored 14 points and had six rebounds.

Mowatt got a double-double 20 points and 12 rebounds in support of Schloss’ 25 points, four rebounds and six steals.

In the Under-16 game, Herbert Morrison appeared flat after their outstanding show two days prior and allowed a more aggressive Muschett to dominate from the start.

Despite their dominance, Muschett led by only six points after the first two quarters, 24-18, but outscored Herbert Morrison, 48-37, in the second half.

Karlington Barrett exploded for 29 points and 13 rebounds to lead Muschett; D’Jair Bulgin scored 16 points, while Obrien Clarke had 14 points and seven rebounds.

David Peck was Herbert Morrison’s top player with 20 points, 14 rebounds and four blocked shots. Ralique Grant, who scored 33 points in game one on Monday, was limited to 18 on Wednesday, while Gregory Wallace, who was hampered by foul trouble early in the game, scored 12 points, including two three-pointers in the fourth quarter.