AIS clinches Under 13 basketball title

Angu Rajendran

For one heart stopping minute in the forty minutes of the match, the AIS and St Peter’s boys played with their hearts in their mouths.

AIS led comfortably in the first quarter of the All Island under 13 basketball finals 10/3 that was held at Mahanama College yesterday. St Peter’s made a comeback in the second quarter scoring ten points, with their tallest player Nichula Nadeja on a roll. However, at half whistle AIS had a narrow lead 16/13.

Bevan Samuel - ball controller for the AIS team was at his very best.

And at the crucial moments in the last quarter - Stephan Perera of AIS pulled his team out of a fix with his accurate shooting when the scores stood equal at 34 all.

The tallest player on the court - Nichula Nadeja of Peters had a hard time to get in his twelve baskets as he was closely guarded by Bevan Samuel.

In the last quarter the scores moved neck to neck and finally AIS clinched the match with Bevan Samuel making an under the basket shot before the final whistle and winning the All Island A division title 39/37.

Bevan Samuel was declared the Most Valuable Player while Stephan Perera also of AIS was the Best Defensive Player and Nichula Nadeja of St Peter’s was the Best Offensive Player.

Top scorers for AIS - Taher Akbarally 12, Bevan Samuel 10 and Stephan Perera 10. For St Peters Nichula Nadeja 24 and Yohan Prabasha 8. In the consolation finals - Lyceum beat Maris Stella - 43/37.

Top scorers for Lyceum Viran Samaranayake 18, Joshua Johnson 10 and Rahul Samaranayake 8. For Maris Stella Thajan Fernando 14 and Nirmal Perera 12 were top scorers.