Army hits hard at Avent BC

Anuradha Abeysekera

Army BC easily tamed Avent BC 88-62 in their Carlton Cup 2012 ‘A’ division basketball match played at the Henry Pedris courts, Colombo yesterday. Soldiers dominated throughout the game maintaining lead in all four quarters. They posted a comfortable 12-point lead in the first quarter scoring 24 points while restricting opponents to 12 points. Soldiers carried out with the same fashioned play in the following quarter and widened the gap adding 27 points in contrast to 19 from the rivals to enjoy the break with confidence. Avent BC players did not able to resist the strong Army attack and were 20 points trailing at the half time (21-51).

Army played a speedy game with a superb teamwork in the second half putting more pressure on opponents. Avent players were not given any opportunity to make inroads at all stages and were struggling to make points. They displayed a poor teamwork and missed some easy baskets and rebounds.

Avent players came up with a much organized defence in the third quarter and managed to close the gap a little by scoring 12 points against 17 from the soldiers. Their full court man-to-man defence seemed to be effective against soldiers, but were unable to counter attack. Army were prospected on some fine long shootings where the sunk few three-shots in the final quarter. Avent players also tried some long shots but the fortune did not strike on them.

The match continued amidst drizzle turning the conditions more harder for the Avent players. But they were able to slow down the game in the final quarter and Army even did not play hard as they maintained their control. Both teams battled point to point in the later part and winners added 20 points while losers trailed a point in the final quarter (20-19).

Asanka Suwaris and Vimukthi Udayakumara scored 15 points each while Dilan Sampath contributed 14 points for the Army team. Dilanka Bois and Christi Krishantha were the best scorers for the Avent BC who contributed 14 and 13 points respectively. Meanwhile the Carlton Cup “A” and “B” division tournaments reached a competitive hight as the leading teams took centre court as two “B” division matches and a “A” division match was played on Saturday after the schools tournament matches at the Police Park Basketball Court and the Amal International Basketball court. In the first match, All Greens basketball club defeated Mullativu Basketball Club 90 – 37 While in the second match saw the Buffalo’s “A” beat the Michealites by 70 – 52.

The Sri Lanka Navy Basketball team took on the Otter Aquatic club team at the Police Park Basketball courts where the Otter’s snapped victory 82–86.

On Sunday, HSC Blues beat the Police team by 67 – 51 and the reigning champions Colombo Basketball club emerged winners over the Airmen by 65-34. The tournament would obtain added flavor in the third week as the team from the Maldives would be entering the championship. This would be the first time that an oversea club team would be competing at a Sri Lankan tournament.

The Sri Lanka Air Force team will be taking on the Peterite “A” team while the HSC Blacks would take on the Police Basketball team on the 06th of November 2012at the Henry Pedris Basketball courts from 06.00 pm onwards.