S.Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia emerged victorious over St. Joseph’s College Colombo in the SLBA U-19 Schools tournament in a low scoring nail-biter at St. Joseph’s College courts. The scoreboard read 36-33 at full time.
Even though the Thomians won the jump ball, Kisal Cooray from Joes got things underway byscoring the maiden points of the game. Joes were on top of the cards in defense putting the Thomians under pressure straightaway. Bhanuka Gamage for Joes scored two back to back three pointers within the first few minutes of the match to keep the scoreboard running in favor of them. The Thomians lacked consistency in their offence throughout allowing the Joes to settle themselves down with a lead of eleven points at the end of the first quarter.
Mathew Senn opened up the second quarter swishing the nets off a layup for the school by the sea. Both teams were consistent in their defense in the second quarter. Mathew got things going for mount boys by scoring twelve points including a three pointer to reduce the lead to just four points at the end of the first half of the match.
Half time – St. Joseph’s College Colombo – 25 S.Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia – 21
Shivanga De Silva from Joes had to walk out with the start of the second half of the match due toa lower back injury while both teams were on song in their defense, not allowing a single shot to be scored for some time. Kisal Cooray etched almost all of the rebounds helping Banuka Gamage to score six points for Joes. Thomians were all over the place in their offence only managing to score two points for the entire third quarter.
Joes stepped into the final quarter of the match with a ten points lead and the Thomians needed to get everything right in both 
departments. Shevan perera showed some amazing defensive skills not allowing the Josephians to score a single basket in the all-important final quarter. Joes lacked consistency in their offence while Adrian Gunawardena, Tharusha Allewela and Mathew Senn started scoring for the Thomians reducing the lead to just one point with only ninety seconds to go. Luckily for the school by the sea the man himself, Mathew Senn had other plans; he swished the nets off the left side of the arc with a match winning three pointer leaving the home crowd stunned with disappointment. The Thomian supporters and players were jubilant as they secured a spot at the quarter finals and came one step closer to becoming Group B champions.
Full time – St. Joseph’s College Colombo – 33 S.Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia – 36
ThePapare.com player of the match – Mathew Senn (S.Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia)
