MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Manchester High will put their perfect win record on the line Thursday when they host Mt Alvernia High in the final of the ISSA rural girls’ basketball championship set to start at 1:30 pm.

Manchester High and first-time finalists Mt Alvernia High qualified for the final after wins over Old Harbour High and last year’s winners, Herbert Morrison Technical, in their respective semi-finals.

Mt Alvernia High beat Herbert Morrison 44-29 in their semi-final played in Montego Bay last Thursday, while Manchester High beat Old Harbour High 33-20 in their rescheduled game on Saturday after the game was rained out on the original date.

Last Thursday, Mt Alvernia High created school history after qualifying for the final, avenging a 40-31 loss to Herbert Morrison earlier in the season, rallying from a first-quarter deficit.

Herbert Morrison led 9-4 after the first quarter, but Mt Alvernia High, led by Caustena Holness and Brianna Bailey, who combined for 27 points, took over the game in the second quarter, where they outscored Herbert Morrison 16-2 and led 20-11 at half time and were up 36-18 going into the final quarter.

Holness led all scorers with 14 points, Bailey scored 13, and Jayla-Shae Wright added eight points for the winners.

Bianca Maxwell led Herbert Morrison with 11 points and had eight rebounds, six steals and four blocked shots. Cayla Thompson scored six points and had seven rebounds. Dashantaye Lewis also scored six points.

Manchester High dominated their game against Old Harbour High and were ahead 9-0 after the first quarter, led 17-5 at halftime and 23-10 at the end of the third quarter.

Leann Goulbourne scored 15 points to lead Manchester High, while Karcia Beezer scored 13 points, with Javelle Street scoring 10 points for Old Harbour High.

— Paul Reid