MONTEGO BAY, St James — Defending champions Rusea’s High open their defence of their Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) daCosta Cup title against Green Island High in the second game of the opening double-header set for the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Saturday, September 8.

The daCosta Cup Zone B game follows the opening ISSA Manning Cup match between champions Jamaica College and Hydel High.

In 2011, which was the last time Rusea’s High, as defending champions, played Green Island in an opening game of the competition, the Lucea-based team won 10-0, but have only managed one win against Green Island in their last four games.

The teams drew both games played last season.

Rusea’s High won Zone B last year ahead of Frome Technical, but Green Island also advanced as one of two best third-placed teams.

Six teams are set to contest for honours in Zone B, with Cambridge High, Hopewell High, Frome Technical and Merlene Ottey High completing the roster.

Twenty-four schools from western Jamaica will be among the 88 schools participating in the competition, two more than last year.

Belmont Academy make their debut and play in Zone D alongside Petersfield High, Manning’s School, Little London High and Knockalva Technical, who played in Zone B the last few seasons.

Knockalva Technical were shifted to the zone normally populated by Westmoreland-based schools, after four schools, including former champions Godfrey Stewart High, indicated that they will not be taking part this season.

In addition to Godfrey Stewart, Grange Hill, Black River and Maud McLeod High are not participating.

Cornwall College — who won their 12th title in 2016 — Anchovy High, Green Pond High, Irwin High, Maldon High and St James High, contest Zone A; while Cedric Titus High Herbert Morrison Technical, Holland High, Muschett High, Spot Valley High and William Knibb Memorial compete in Zone C.