ST JAMES, Jamaica — Three-time defending champions Manchester High and Holmwood Technical qualified for the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association rural area Boys Under-19 basketball final after completing 2-0 semi-final wins over Herbert Morrison Technical and Knox College, respectively, on Wednesday.

Manchester High beat Herbert Morrison Technical 71-35 in Game Two of their best-of-three contest in Montego Bay. Manchester had won the first game 72-33 in Mandeville on Monday.

Holmwood Technical scored a 100-70 win at home against Knox College on Wednesday. Holmwood had won 75-70 in Monday’s first game which was also played at Manchester High.

On Wednesday, Samuel Smith registered a double-double for Manchester High, scoring 18 points and collecting 14 rebounds in their 36-point win.

Manchester High led 21-12 after the first quarter and increased the margin to 36-15 at half-time. They were well on their way to a big win, leading 58-21 at the end of the third quarter.

Shavar Bogle also scored 25 points for Manchester High, while Ryan Jurdine led Herbert Morrison with 11 points.

Melvin Ragoo led Holmwood Technical with 21 points and Denrick Jenkins scored 18, while Knox College’s Tajay Leslie scored a game-high 49 points in a losing effort. Marc Anthony-Bennett added 12 points.

— Paul A Reid