St Joseph's Girls clinch Under-17 title

Angu Rajendran

In the South Zone All Island Basketball finals held at the St Joseph's Girl's school court in Nugegoda yesterday, the St Joseph's team beat arch-rivals Holy Family Convent, Dehiwala 50-47.

The taller Josephians playing on their home court took the lead right from the start and the game was cruising along with St Joseph's scoring 28 points and HFC with 20 at half time. In the third quarter too the Josephians scored a couple of three pointers and increased their lead.

However there was excitement in the last quarter as the Josephians relaxed too much and the Familians caught up. The Familian captain and best player (under 15) Iresha Fernando going for a fast break was injured and carried off the court. This inspired Umanga and Chethana of HFC to play a faster game and bring the scores level at 44-all with only four minutes to go.

Both teams played desperately for two minutes. The Familians missed all their shots though they attempted many by just flinging the ball at the board while Bilali, captain of St Joseph's managed to convert her third attempt after rebounding, giving the Josephians their much needed two point lead. Then with another couple of baskets from Bilali and just thirty seconds to go Umanga of Holy Family shot a three pointer from almost half-court and the whistle blew with St Joseph's clinching the All Island under-17 girls south zone title with the scores at 50-47.

Bilali Seneviratne (18), Mishika Gunawijeya (13) and Nethmi Indusara (7) top scored for the winners while Chethana Weerasinghe (22), Umanga Fernando (14) and Hashini Silva (4) top scored for the losers.

Bilali Seneviratne of St Joseph's was the Most Valuable Player of the tournament while Imesha Sandusara of St Joseph's was the Best Defensive Player and Umanga Fernando (HFC) was the Best Offensive Player.

In the consolation final St Lawrence's beat Asian International School 75-27 in a very one-sided match after leading 34-15 at half time. For the winners Natasha Perera (19), Dulani Silva (17) and Sheron Wickramaratne (13) top scored while for the losers Natasha de Alwis (7) and Amani Perera (11) top scored.