Colombo Super League Basketball continues for second week

Anuradha Abeysekera

SLEME comfortably beat Old Wesleyites SC by 50 points to 15 after leading 23-02 at half time in the Colombo Super League Basketball Championship 'C' division match at the St. Joseph's Girls School court, Nugegoda on the opening day of the tournament over the last weekend. Sameera Peiries and N. Thirakar scored 15 points each for winners while Asath Afam was the only noteworthy contributor with seven points for the losers.

In another 'C' division match Navy defeated Field Force by 41 points to 24 at the same venue. Sailors had a comfortable 22-point lead at the short whistle and sailed to victory with ease. D.M. Siriwardana and D.S.A. Perera top scored with 14 and 13 points respectively for the winners.

SLASC (Waggoners) and Old Lasallians too made progress at the 'C' division registering victories over Colombo Stallions and President's Security Division (PSD). Waggoners defeated Stallions with a considerable margin of 27 points (85-58) at the Amal International School courts while Old Lasallians triumphed against PSD after a close contest (59-50) at the same venue.

Kurunegala BC recorded their first win in the 'C' division when they tamed Buffalos 'B' by 59 points to 50 after leading 45-18 midway at the St. Joseph's Girls School courts, Nugegoda. Nalaka Kumarasinghe (13 points) and Chathura Dharmasiri (11 points) were the best scores for winners while Umesh Dissanayaka and Yohan Edirisinghe added 12 points each for the losers.

Colombo BC posted the highest lead so far in the 'C' division when they trounced Air Force with a huge 56-point margin (81-25) at the St. Joseph's courts, Nugegoda. Praveen Ganlath (20 points) and Mark Wille (12 points) made the best contribution for Colombo team.

At the same venue, SLEME scored their second victory beating Dhamso by 65 points to 50. They were 13-points ahead at the breather. N Thivakar and Sameera Peiris scored 18 and 13 points respectively for SLEME while Malaka Vimukthi added 27 points for Dhamso.

An exciting game of basketball was on showcase when Vazians proved their supremacy against Old Anandians beating them by a single point (37-36) at the Amal International School courts. Vazians came from behind in the second half to stun Old Anandians after trailing 12-19 at half time. Vimukthi Thamel (20 points) and Ranil Fernando (8 points) strengthen the winner while Duleep Wijesuriya (12 points) and Dilka Sakuranga (8 points) were the best contributors for the losers.

Mean while in the 'B' division of the same tournament, Buffalos 'A' triumphed over Wennappuwa Knights after a close contest (67-64) at the St. Joseph's court, Nugegoda on the third day. Buffalos had a slight two points edge at the short whistle (39-37). Buddhika Wijesundara and Sakindu Wickramasinghe scored 13 points each for Buffalos while Anuk Abeysekara (20 points) and Sonail Fernando (16 points) were the top scorers for Wennappuwa team.

PSD suffered their second defeat as they went down to Stallions (29-68) after trailing 9-42 at half time. Razeen Mohamed and Jerald Jacob scored 22 and 12 points respectively for Stallions .

Red Caps defeated Maroons by 60 points to 38 in their 'C' division match played at the Amal International courts on the third day. Winners posted a 15-point lead at breather (38-23). Rasanga Ravindra scored 31 points for Red Caps while Deshan Nimanth contributed with 19 points for the Maroons. All Greens overcame Baffalos 'B' by 66 points to 42 in another 'C' division match after leading 30-13 at short whistle. Mansoor Elahte (18 points) and Tharindu Lakshantha (10 points) were the top scorers for winners while Yashan Edirisinghe scored 11 points for losing team.

In another 'B' division match at the same venue, Moratuwa BC defeated Colombo International Schools by 63 points to 53. Winners maintained the lead even in the first half as the posted a four point gap at half time (28-24). Chamind de Alwis (19 oints) and Gayan Meedeniya (18 points) top scored for Moratuwa while Nithesh Ranasinghe and Ruwantha Hewage added 17 points each for losers. Four Wings marked their first win in the 'B' division against Old Thomians (64-54) after leading 26-22 midway. Herath Ranasinghe (20 points) and Sameera Hettige (13 points) were the highest contributors for winners while Michale Alponsus (25 points) and Charith Fernando (14 points) top scored for losers.