Carlton BC storm into the final
Anuradha ABEYSEKERA
Carlton BC made their way to ‘A’ division final when they defeated
Navy BC after an exciting semi final (63-62), in the Carlton Cup
Basketball Championship on Wednesday at the Police Park courts. Carlton
BC will meet Colombo BC in tomorrow’s grand final at the same venue.
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An event in progress |
The winners played in their usual form and took early control of the
game by posting a nine point lead at the end of the first quarter
(20-11).
The losers managed to put up some resistance in the second quarter
and scored 15 points against 12 from the winners. But Carlton team
registered a six point margin at half time, (32-26) keeping the sailors
under control.
Winners steadied their attack in the third quarter where sailors
found it difficult to cope with. Navy players committed some unnecessary
fouls, giving free shots to their opponents on team foul basis. Sailors
were tired and missed some re-bounds while being poor in shooting in the
latter part of the third quarter. Carlton team were 15 points ahead at
the end of third quarter (51-36).
Sailors came back to the game in the final quarter with an aggressive
attack, scoring back to back points and reduced the gap. Their man to
man defence was very effective and blocked the Carlton players from
grabbing points. Eventhough Carlton BC won the match, they panicked with
sailors’ sudden come back and were restricted to 12 points in the final
quarter while Navy added 26 points.
The last episode brought the crowd to edge of their seats when
sailors fought fiercely and closed the gap to a three point lead
(63-60). During the last six seconds Navy player D. D.
Muthukudarachchi’s long-shot has been signaled differently by two
referees as a three point and a two point which led to a controversy.
The match was called off as Navy demanded the three point while Carlton
BC refused to play extra time in terms of equalizing the scores (63
each). The referees’ technical committee took the decision yesterday in
favour of Carlton BC, confirming the final basket a two point.
The under 13 girls consolation final, final, boys’ under 13 final and
‘B’ division final are lined up along with the ‘A’ division final on the
final day at the Police Depot. |
