St. Peter’s storm to victory
by Roshen Steelman for The Island
The yellow knights from St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya created history when they won the first League Basketball tournament, beating S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, 85-52, in the final of the Under-19 All Island Schools Basketball Tournament played under lights at Mount Lavinia, on Thursday.
The yellow knights displayed high standards right throughout, as they finished the tournament unbeaten. They defeated a strong outfit from Lyceum International School in the semi-final after winning all their five matches in the first round and continued their unbeaten run in the second round, winning four games to qualify for the final.
On Thursday evening, the Peterites dominated proceedings from the word go.
Shenal Dias, who adjudged the Best Offensive Player of the Tournament, was outstanding as he accounted for 34 points for the winners. He was well supported by Lakshan Samarasinghe (26) who won the Best Player of the Tournament award.
Shaveen Kapuwtta (19 points), was the top scorer for the losers.
Sudarshana Muthuthantree of S. Thomas’ College won the award for the Best Defensive Player of the Tournament.
Having lost just one game to Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa, S. Thomas’ too had an excellent run. They won eight matches in the first round and overcame stiff resistance to enter the final but they ran out of ideas during the vital moments in the final encounter.
The tournament was well-organised by S. Thomas College on behalf of the Sri Lanka Schools Basketball Association and a record number of specters gathered to witness the final encounter.
Bens win third place
St. Benedict’s defeated Lyceum International 69-59 in the consolation final after the scores were level 26 all at the half way mark.
For St. Benedict’s, Udyanga Perera top scored with 23 points while Clinton Stallone chipped in with 14 points.
For Lyceum, Rumesh Senanayake and Lumal Zoyza scored 23 and 14 points respectively.
Click here for more pics from the Basketball finals
