Good Shepherd in resounding win

Sanjaya Ariyaratne

BASKETBALL: Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena posted a resounding 86 points to 44 victory over hosts St. Paul's, Milagiriya to emerge girl's champions at the finals of the National Schools Basketball Tournament conducted by the Educational Department and worked off at the St. Paul's College, courts, Milagiriya yesterday. St. Joseph's Balika Vidyalaya, Nugegoda was the other venue for this tournament.

Shepherdians took the half time lead by 36 points to 24 before swamp Paulians. Anjali Ekanayake with a massive 38 points did well for the winners who was ably supported by Sulochana Ratnasekara (21) and N. Paviva (20).

Wathsala Dhananjali and Nayanika Dharshani with 16 points each and Lahiruka Weeraratne with 10 points were the top scorers for the losers.

Before reaching final Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena had the better of host school St. Joseph's Balika, Nugegoda by a close 61 points to 57 in the semi finals played at St. Joseph's Balika Vidyalaya, courts, Nugegoda.

Josephian girls dominated the half time scores by 28 points to 26 before going down. Sulochana Rathnasekara with 21 points and Anjali Ekanayake with 13 points stood out for the winners while Solangi Gunawijaya with 27 points and Prasadi Fonseka (16) were best shooters for St. Joseph's.

St. Paul's girls secured their place in the final when they trounced Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala by a immense margin of 60 points to 32 after grabbing a 28 points to 11 points lead at the breather.

Nayanika Dharshani (22) and Wathsala Dhananjali (14) were the main scorers for St. Paul's, Milagiriya while Harshani Witharana (17) and Aruni Samaradivakara (4) were the best players for the losers.

On their way to final the winning Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena also beat Holy Family Convent, Jaffna by 43 points to 14 after being held a 18 points to 10 lead at the half time.

In addition the former routed Good Shepherd Convent, Kandy by 63 points to 12 when they were ahead 28 points to 10 at the breather.

In the other matches played at St. Paul's, Milagiriya SPM beat Sangamitta BV by 61 points to 12 after leading 27 points to 7 at the half time. St. Joseph's Balika, Kegalle beat Uduwila BMV by 33 points to 14, half time- 16-7,

Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala beat St. Joseph's Girl's College, Kegalle by 50 points to 25 with taking a 28 points 15 lead at the half time, the former also beat Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda by 63 points to 39, half time- 23 to 24, Dharmasoka beat Kandy Girls' High School by a massive 57 points to 10. The half time stood at 27 points to 6 in favour of the winners.

St. Joseph's BV, Nugegoda beat Pushpadana Girls' College, Kandy by 75 points to 15 after leading 43 points to 10 at the breather played at St. Joseph's BV, Nugegoda. The former also beat Vivekananda Vidyalaya, Batticaloa by 48 points to 16 after leading 26 points to 6 at the breather.

In the consolation final for the third place St. Joseph's Balika Vidyalaya, Nugegoda overwhelmed Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala by 70 points to 33.

The former took the half time lead at 45 points to 21.

Solangi Gunawijaya with 16 points and Prasadi Fonseka with 15 points were the top players for the winners while Diyuni Abeysinghe with ten points was the solid scorer for the losers.