DEFENDING champions of the secondary school competition recorded big wins for their title defence as the 2011 Twisties National Secondary Schools Championship began yesterday.

Marist Brothers' High School thrashed Ba Provincial High School 65-21 in the boys' division while the Adi Cakobau School thumped St Joseph's Secondary School 44-10 in the girls division of the Under-19 category.

Basketball Fiji development officer Laisiasa Puamau said the defending champions will want to retain their titles.

"They (Marist and ACS) are back to retain their title and they proved that with their commanding wins today (yesterday)," Puamau said.

He said the competition would be very stiff as four new schools had joined the championship.

"Tavua College, Saint Thomas, Lautoka Central and Nadi International are the new schools joining the competition," he said.

"Now we have 49 teams and 588 players from 17 schools from the Central and Western divisions competing in three grades, under-15, U17 and U19."

"It was pleasing to witness the energy from each of the teams in the first day of competition. The skill level that was displayed was of satisfaction as we anticipate a stronger round of competition in the respective age category tomorrow (today)," said Puamau.

Yesterday's results: U15 Boys: GHS 28-Edupia 11, MBHS 22-NHS 25, Raiwaqa Juniors 43-NHS 2, NHS 1 16-YSS 11. U15 Girls: NHS WBD SGS, Raiwaqa Juniors 37-LBSS 10, SJSS 22-YSS 9. U17 Girls: ISS 15-SJSS 29, LDS 20-BA Pro 24, LBSS 33-GHS 22. U19 Boys: LDS 24-SGS 17, MBHS 65-Ba Pro 21, ISS 34-Lautoka Central 33. U19 Girls: 39-NHS 25, ACS 44-SJSS 10.