Under-17 boys ‘B’ division basketball:

DE LA SALLE reign supreme

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA

De La Salle College, Mutwal walked away with the boys' under-17 'B' division basketball championship beating St. Anne's College, Kurunegala 78-41 in the final at their home courts yesterday. Both teams seemed to be equally tough at the initial stage and Annites played with a good teamwork despite the roaring cheers and home crowd support received from the Lasallians. Annites sealed the fist quarter with a slight one-point lead keeping the strong home team on the back seat (14-13).

The rhythm of the game drastically changed in the following quarter as Lasallians tuning up to their usual aggressive form. They scored back to back points while defending their ring. Homesters soon seized the lead and scored 24 points in the second half while restricting the opponents for just six points. Visitors got panic with Lassalians' sudden come back and were not able to retain their control. Lassalian Anushka Dilan who was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament broke the Annites’ defense several times to sink some difficult lay-ups which helped the home team to build up a considerable lead. Lasallians were 17 points ahead midway (37-20).

Even in the third quarter Lasallians exerted the pressure on visitors by only giving away three points while adding 26 points to them. Visitors found it hard to cope with strong Lasallian attack and they missed some certain points due to their fancy shooting in the later part of the game. Annites were tired and not up to their standard in collecting re-bounds where Lasallians were greatly prospected.

Home team took the mental advantage of having a huge spectator support to tame the visitors. They did not allow Annites to make inroads to the game and maintained a tough defense. Mutwal lads widened the gap during the third quarter and had a big 40-point lead before they stop play for the final short rest.

Knowing that they are sailing to victory with ease, Lasallians took the whole five out giving an opportunity to their budding talents in the final quarter. Even though it eased the pressure on opponents, Annites were not in a position to bounce back to the game. Homesters added more 15 points while the visitors scoring 18 points in the final quarter. It was an easy win at the end for the Mutwal lads and they were delighted to win the champion shield at their home courts before their kith and kin.

Lasallian Nimesh Fernando was picked as the Best Defensive Players and contributed with 22 points in the final. Shanuka Meran won the he only special award for St. Anne's as he was awarded the Best Offensive Player for his valuable contribution of 18 points in the match. Denver Peris was the other main scorer for the losers with 10 points.

Meanwhile the consolation final for the third place was won by Royal Institute of Colombo defeating St. Joseph’s College, Ederamulla