Trinity under-17 cager champs

Sanjaya Ariyaratne

Trinity College, Kandy were crowned champions of the under 17 `B’ division basketball tournament 2007 worked off at the St. Anthony’s College courts, Wattala recently. The tournament was organised by the St. Anthony’s College, Wattala Cager Club and conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Basketball Association.

In the final Trinity College posted a 70 points to 60 win over their home town rivals Azar Central College to win the title.

Trinitians were leading by 33 points to 29 at half time. R. Seneviratne with 22 points and V. Senaratne with 14 points shone for the winners while Ashroff Ali with 17 points and Arzad with 16 points did well for Azar Central College. Trinity College breezed to the final when they beat Nalanda College by 72 points to 66 points after leading by a narrow 32 points to 30 points at the breather.

R. Seneviratne with 26 points and V. Senaratne with 15 points were the main scorers for the winners while Yositha with 18 points and Ruchira with 14 points were the top scorers for Nalanda College.

Azar Central College, Kandy booked their place in the final after defeating Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda by a thrilling 92 points to 88 in the other semi final.

The half time scores stood at 48 points to 44 with the winners taking the lead.

For Azar Central College Arzad with 28 points and Azam with 16 points were the best shooters while W. Dilruksha with a massive 32 points and M. Vimukthi with 24 points stood out for Dharmasoka College.

In the consolation final for the third place Nalanda College had the better of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda by 66 points to 47 after taking a close 30 points to 29 lead at the short whistle.

Ruchira with 20 points and Divanka with 16 points were the chief scorers for Nalanda College while for Dharmasoka College Susan fought a lone battle with 12 points.

In an earlier match Nalanda College trounced De La Salle College, Colombo by a margin of 88 points to 65. The former were in command by a big margin of 49 points to 24 at half time. Ruchira (42) and Yositha (15) did well for the winners while Shabrine Farook (20) and Mayura Priyasad (14) were the best players for the losers.

Azar Central College, Kandy beat host St. Anthony’s College, Wattala by 72 points to 68 after trailing 26 points to 32 at the breather.

Arzad (26) and Ashroff Ali (14) excelled for the winners while Kevin Vevekshan (32) and Sadun Maduranga (12) were the outstanding players for Antonians.

Ashroff Ali of Azar Central College, Kandy was adjudged the best defensive player of the tournament while V. Senaratne of Trinity College was named the best defensive player. R. Seneviratne also from Trinity College carried away the best player of the tournament award.