Joes U-15 cager champions
Anuradha ABEYSEKERA
St. Joseph’s College, Maradana walked away with the under 15 ‘A’
division Basketball Championship Trophy when they tamed the Colombo
International College (CIS), Kandy team in an exiting final match at the
Asian International College courts yesterday (50-43).
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St. Joseph’s player Mark Fernando piles up a basket. While
the best offensive player Prasanga Wettasinghe (Joes number
four) looks on (on right). Picture by Sulochana Gamage |
CIS played well in the first half as they were six points ahead in
the end of first quarter (15-9). Even though Joes equaled the scores at
21, Eshan de Zilva struck with three consecutive baskets for CIS to give
them a 25-23 lead at half time.
Joes took the lead by scoring 29-27 in the third quarter but counter
attacked with back to back four baskets from CIS player V. Karunarathna
to finish the quarter three points ahead. Joes made inroads in the final
quarter with strong attack where CIS players were not able to resist.
CIS only managed to score eight points against the 18 points from
Josephians in the last quarter. St. Joseph’s ball handler Prasanga
Wettasinghe and Nayantha Aneslley contributed with most number of points
(16 and 12 points respectively) to steal the victory in the end (50-43).
Nayantha was adjudged the most valuable player of the tournament while
Prasanga was awarded as the best offensive player.
CIS cager V. Karunarathna who contributed with 16 points for the
losing team was the best defensive player. Asian International School (AIS)
won the consolation final when they beat St. Benedict’s College at the
same venue (83-75). AIS maintained a commendable lead through out the
match posted a 19 point lead at the half time stage (69-50). Bevan
Samuel who scored 36 points for AIS was picked as the most valuable
player of the consolation final.
Results:
Champion: St. Joseph’s College, Maradana. Runner up: Colombo
International College - Kandy. Second runner up: Asian International
School, Colombo
Special awards: Most valuable player: Nayantha Aneslley (St. Joseph’s
College)
Best offensive player: Prasanga Wettasinghe (St. Joseph’s College)
Best defensive player: V. Karunarathna ( Colombo International
College – Kandy) |
