SPOT VALLEY, St James — Defending national champions William Knibb Memorial won back-to-back games to improve their chances of a semi-final place in the Under-19 section of the ISSA Western Conference high school boys basketball competition.

On Thursday, William Knibb beat Spot Valley 86-39, a day after they beat Cornwall College 59-49 and moved into fourth place in the tables on 12 points, the same as fifth-place Spot Valley High.

William Knibb were allowed to enter the competition late, almost at the end of the first round schedule after missing the registration period.

Muschett High led with eight straight wins on 16 points, one more than Herbert Morrison on 15 points with Cornwall College a point back in third place.

Don-Michael Fray led the William Knibb scoring in both wins, he scored 29 points in the 59-49 win over Cornwall College then followed up with 35 against Spot Valley when they won 86-39, while holding the home team to 18 points through the first three quarters.

The wins did not extend to their Under-16 team, however, as they lost both games — beaten 49-30 by defending champions Spot Valley and 66-28 by Cornwall College.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Herbert Morrison Technical won both games against Spot Valley, taking their record to 11 straight in the Under-16 game with a 47-34 victory, then winning 85-20 in the Under-19 game.

— Paul Reid