St. Joseph’s, Nugegoda clinch Under 17 cager title

Sanjaya Ariyaratne

BASKETBALL:Solangi Gunavijaya who played a fantastic role with a massive 39 points was the heroine for St. Joseph’s College, Nugegoda as they registered a 76 points to 47 victory over host St. Paul’s College, Milagiriya in the final of the All Island Inter School under 17 girl’s `A’ division Basketball tournament played at St. Paul’s College, Milagiriya recently. The championship was organised by the Schools Basketball Association of Sri Lanka.

From the initial stage of the match winners completely dominated the proceedings with a big margin to take a 30 points to 15 lead at the breather.

Jayani Nungi with ten points and Dilrufa Samith with seven points were the other top performers for St. Joseph’s College while Lahiruka Weeraratne with 30 points and Kaplani Ramanayake with ten points stood out for the home team. The match was refereed by Prasad Ranasinghe and Jagath Prasanna.

St. Joseph’s College, Nugegoda booked their place in the final when they trounced Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, Colombo by a margin of 63 points to 35 in the semi final fixture played at the same venue.

At half time scores stood at 40 points to 12 with St. Joseph’s cagers taking the lead. Solangi Gunavijaya with a huge 32 points again was the best player for the winners who was well supported by Jayani Nungi with ten points and Saduni with seven points.

In the other semi final host St. Paul’s College, Milagiriya beat St. Lawrance’s School, Wellawatte to enter the final. In the consolation final for the third place Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, Colombo defeated St. Lawrance’s School, Wellawatte by a margin of 55 points to 37 played at St. Paul’s College, Milagiriya.

In another match St. Joseph’s College, Nugegoda swamped Good Shepherd Convent by 80 points to 17.

Solangi Gunavijaya with 28 points, Dewni with 18 and Jayani Nungi with ten points were the chief scorers for the winners while Achini added six points for losers.

St. Paul’s College, Milagiriya drubbed Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya by 55 points to 14 in another match played at their own courts.

At the half time St. Paul’s cagers grabbed a 20 to seven points lead. Lahiruka Weeraratne with 20 and Kalpani Ramanayake with 16 points were the main scorers for the winners while Christina Kapuwatte with six points was the only scorer for the losers.

Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, Colombo routed Holy Family Convent by 48 points to 26 played at the same venue. Kalpashika Ranasinghe with 22 and Erandi Rajapakse with 16 points were the best shooters for the winners while for the losers Sachini Jayasinghe stood out with 24 points.

Solangi Gunavijaya of the winning St. Joseph’ College, Nugegoda was adjudged the best player of the tournament while Lahiruka Weeraratne of St. Paul’s College, Milagiriya was named as the best offensive player. The best defensive player award went to Dilrufa Samith of St. Joseph’s College, Nugegoda.