MONTEGO BAY, St James — Herbert Morrison Technical made an impressive return to the ISSA Western Conference Girls’ Open basketball competition on Tuesday with a big 55-5 win over newcomers York Castle High in the opening games played at Mt Alvernia High in Montego Bay, St James.

They had missed the last four stagings of the competition and are one of five schools that will be seeking to be crowned new champions as last year’s winners Holland High have not entered.

Also on Tuesday, Mt Alvernia High beat William Knibb Memorial 55-40 in the second game of the double-header to join Herbert Morrison at the top of the points standings.

Kerrykay Stephenson had a double-double of 14 points and 11 steals and Leasaloy Lesie scored 11 points and had six rebounds and five steals to lead Herbert Morrison.

Despite a game-high 18 points from William Knibb Memorial’s Shania Wright, two-time champions Mt Alvernia High ran out comfortable 14-point winners.

The game was close in the first half as Mt Alvernia led 15-14 after the first quarter and maintained the slim margin 24-23 at half-time, before creating some separation in the third quarter to take a 36-30 lead, then taking over the game in the fourth quarter.

Ashley Amore led Mt Alvernia High with 16 points and Chrisania Thorpe scored 11, while Samara Campbell scored 15 points for William Knibb.