HFC in hard fought 54-50 win over Sirimavo BMV

Sanjaya ARIYARATNE

Host Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala posted a close 54 points to 50 victory over Sirimavo Bandaranaike Girls’ College to be crowned as champions in the All Island Under 19 `B’ division Basketball Tournament for girls worked off at Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala, recently.

The championship was organised by the Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala with the association of Sri Lanka Schools Basketball Association.

The winners were trailing 16 points to 23 at breather but made a spirited come back to win the match with the best scores coming from Harshani Vitarana (20) and Diuni Abeysinghe (18). Kalpashaka (22) and Buddhika (18) were the top scorers for the losers. In the semi finals HFC beat Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda by 69 points to 35 after leading 33 points to 16 at half time. Diuni Abeysinghe (18) and Harshani Vitarana and Imara Perera with 12 points each stood out for the home side while Kumudu (12) and Piumi (8) were the chief scorers for sokians.

In the other semi final Sirimavo BV had the better of CIS by 62 points to 26 to enter the final. The scores stood at 38 points to 13 in favour of winners at short whistle. Kalpashaka (22) and Buddhika (18) were the main scorers for the winners while Oshadi fought a lone battle with 14 points for CIS.

In the consolation final CIS beat Dharmasoka College by 61 points to 52 after taking a close 31 points to 20 lead at half time. Oshadi and Aarali was on target with 24 and 18 points respectively for the winners.

Imara Perera of HFC, Kurunegala has been named as the best defensive player while her team mate Harshani Vitarana was adjudged the best player of the final. K. Ranasinghe of Sirimavo BV took the best offensive player award. The best player of the tournament prize also went to HFC’s Diuni Abeysinghe.