Joes U-15 cager champions
Chinthana WASALA
St. Joseph's College, Maradana overcame Maris Stella College, Negombo
in a close battle 48-46 to be victorious at the
All-island inter-schools u-15 `A' division basketball championship
final which concluded at the St. Joseph's College court yesterday.
Joes got off to an early lead in the final and they did not allow the
visitors to overcome them at anytime during the game.
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The best player of the tournament, Praneeth Udumalagala (St.
Joseph's College) going for a basket. Picture by Chaminda
Hitthatiyage |
Even then the visiting cagers too, fought hard and did not allow the
home team to extend the lead until the end of the first half.
At the half time, the scores read 20-17 in favour of the Josephians.
The third quarter of the game saw the home team extend the lead they
had at the end of the first half.
Praneeth Udumalagala played a significant part when it came to
scoring. He was seen in action almost every time the ball got passed
through the basket.
The visitors were helpless in front of the Josephian attack.
At the start of the fourth quarter, it looked like it was going to be
an easy victory for the Joes. There was a big difference in the score
line. At one time it was 47-35 with Joes heading towards a great win.
But Maris Stella cagers got into the act again in the last few
minutes. In front of a large crowd supporting the home team, they fought
really hard and got through the Josephian defence to gain quick points.
That closed the gap between the two teams within the last three minutes.
The Josephian score stood at 48 when the visitors came across three
clean shots to get closer to 48-46. It looked like Maristonians was
going for the victory in the last minute. But time ran out when that
score was on the board, with Joes winning, giving a big relief to the
home team and the large crowd that supported them.
The encounter for the third position took place at the same venue
between St. Anthony's College, Katugastota and St. Benedict's College
which Bens won 76-49 in an easy game.
Special awards:
Best Offensive player: shehan Fernando (St. Joseph's College)
Best Defensive player: Shaun Nicholos (Maris Stella College)
Best Player: Praneeth Udumalagala (St. Joseph's College) |
