LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

St. Jago's leading scorer, Derron Dale (left), tries to get past Wolmer's Ricardo Bowes during their ISSA/KFC Schoolboy Basketball League final at Mico College, yesterday. St. Jago won 53-42 with Dale top scoring with 18 points. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

ST. JAGO High are one game away from their first ISSA/KFC High School Basketball Under-19 League crown following a 53-42 win over Wolmer's Boys at Mico College yesterday.

St. Jago overcame a first-quarter deficit of 12-8 and never relinquished the lead thereafter to set up a possible series winner on Monday when they host Game Two of the best-of-three series.

Derron Dale led St. Jago with 18 points and if he has a similar performance at home on Monday, this may well be St. Jago's year as their coach has been professing.

"Jago have never lost a home game in four years now, so this year is our year," said coach Kevin Vassell.

St. Jago's offence began with rebounds as they outrebounded Wolmer's 35-26 and were particularly dominant on the offensive boards.

Turnovers were Wolmer's downfall as they had a total of 27, compared to St. Jago's 19. Christopher Vassell not only had the most points for Wolmer's with 12 but had nine turnovers which often led to fast breaks by St. Jago.

"They just don't play good here (at home) and I don't know why," said Wolmer's coach Howard Harvey. "Most of the things they normally do well they didn't do today."

Game Two of the Under-16 final will be played at 3:00 p.m. at St. George's College today with the hosts down 1-0 against Ardenne in the best-of-three series.