Joes take Under 17 cager title

Sanjaya Ariyaratne

St. Joseph’s College, Maradana posted an exciting 58 points to 50 win over St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena to be crowned as under 17 champions in the Sri Lanka Schools All Island `A’ Division Under 17 Boys Basketball Final played at St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa recently.

On their way to final Josephian cagers beat Royal College by a massive 59 points to 25, St. Joseph’s College, Enderamulla by a thumping margin of 90 points to 41, Trinity College, Kandy by 76 points to 58 are some of their convincing wins.

In the quarter finals St. Joseph’s College defeated Lyceum International School by 88 points to 57 thereafter in the semi finals Joes got the better of host school St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa comprehensively by 96 points to 59.

The winning team was captained by Shehan Wasana who was adjudged the best player of the tournament while Praneeth Udumalagala was named the best defensive player. For the triumphant team Yohan Keyser had a very good tournament along with Sheran Nanayakkara, Shane Seneviratne, Himath Silva with other team members making useful contributions. Josephian team is being coached by national cap Roshan Randima and assisted by Shane Daniels.

The St. Joseph’s team booked their place in the all island tournament coming through Colombo North Zone as runners up after having beaten Colombo International School, De La Salle College, Mutwal, D.S. Senanayake College and went down to St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena in the zonal final.

St. Paul’s Girls’ School, Milagiriya beat St. Joseph’s BV, Nugegoda by an impressive margin of 54 points to 48 after taking a narrow 23 points to 22 lead at half time in their Sri Lanka Schools All Island `A’ Division Under 17 Girls Basketball Tournament semi final played at St. Joseph’s College, courts, Maradana, recently.

Lahiruka Weeraratne netting a massive 30 points and Poshini Anne (12) stood out for the winners while Jayani Nugi (20) and S. Saduni (13) were the best shooters for the losers.

Sirimavo BV, Colombo defeated Holy Family Convent, Dehiwala by 53 points to 34 after being ahead with 24 points to 12 at breather played at the same venue. Buddhika Wijenayake chipped in with 31 points while she was well supported by Abisheka Dayananda (10) for the winners. For HFC Chrishani Fernando (15) and Umanga Fernando with nine points were the main scorers.