Kingston College and St George’s College struck first blows in their best-of-three respective Under-19 and Under-16 finals of the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/KFC Southern Conference Basketball competition at the National Stadium courts on Thursday.

In the first game, St George’s College stopped Ardenne High 49-35, while Kingston College (KC) defeated Wolmer’s Boys 47-37.

Games two will be played on Monday with the Under-16 starting at 2:00 pm and the Under-19 at 3:30 pm at the same location.

It was a tentative start by both teams in the Under-19 finals, but KC eventually used their height advantage to end the first quarter leading 13-9.

KC increased their lead in the second quarter, thanks to a number of free throws, to end first half 30-22.

It was more nip and tuck in the second half, but KC held their advantage to record victory.

Clifton Jean was KC’s topscorer with 23 points, including four three-pointers, and 12 rebounds, while Brian Cameron topscored for Wolmer’s with 21 points and 14 rebounds.

In the curtain-raiser, St George’s College’s led 10-7 at the end of the first quarter, 19-14 at the half-time break.

Ardenne rallied to tie the scores at 24, but that is as close as they would get, as the North Street-based ‘light blues’ pulled away for a decisive victory.