CIS, Kandy and Pushpadana under 15 cager champions

Sanjaya ARIYARATNE

Colombo International School, Kandy and Pushpadana Girls' College, Kandy emerged boys and girls champions respectively at the Under 15 Kandy District Basketball Tournament organised by Kandy District Basketball Association and worked off at Trinity College, Kandy on last Saturday.

The girls matches were played at Mahamaya College courts. Colombo International School staged a fine second half rally to beat Azhar Central College, Akurana by 46 points to 39 in the final to be crowned as boys champions.

CIS cagers after trailing 15 points to 25 at half time made a fierce come back after the turn around with their accurate shooting and consistency.

Sinniah Taarun with 14 points and Alister Herath with 10 points were the best shooters for the winners while Mohammed Afsalkhan with 16 points and Mohammed Safith with 12 points were the most outstanding players for Azhar CC.

In the semi finals Colombo International School, Kandy outplayed favourites Trinity College by 66 points to 51.

For CIS Alister Herath chipped in with a massive 30 points, he was ably helped by Sinniah Taarun with 16 points and Yusum Anzeer with 10 points. N. Wijesiri (16) and S. Tennakoon (14) were the main scorers for the losers.

Host Trinity College, Kandy had the consolation of taking the third place by beating St. Anthony's College, Katugastota.

In the girls tournament Pushpadana Girls' College got the better of Colombo International School, Kandy came from behind with a remarkable performance in the final where they won by a thrilling 36 points to 35 played at Mahamaya Girls College courts, Kandy.

At half time Pushpadana cagers were trailing 12 points to 15, but made a stirring come back in the second half with the best shooting performance coming from Salani Weerasinghe with 20 points and Rushini Rajapakse chipping in with 10 points.

Loanna Ratwatte with 20 points and Dilmini Dissanayake with 12 points stood out for Colombo International School.

In the consolation final for the third place Hillwood Girls' College, Kandy beat host Mahamaya College by 19 points to 15.

The Kandy District Basketball Association is going to form a pool of players for the under 15 kandy district basketball team which will consist of 20 players.

The top performers of the above tournament will be picked for the pool.