The fourth quarter final of the SLBA U-19 was worked off at the British International School yesterday. The Thomians bouncing back into the game in the final two minutes booked their place at semi finals when the scoreboard read 48-50 at full time.
The match was originally scheduled to be played at St. Joseph`s College – Colombo 10, but due inclement weather the the venue was changed into British International School – indoor basketball complex.
The lads from Mount-Lavinia won the traditional jump ball got off to a flyer as they dished out a couple of three pointers and led the game 6-0 for two minutes. Uvindu Kushmika and Binod Wijegunawardana shifting the pace of the game squared the game in the next two possessions as they ripped apart the opposition defense. Even though the Peterites did have a good defensive strategy, the offense was a bit shaky. Offensive rebounds were not on the cards for them and Mount capitalised on the fact and made sure that they converted the second chances into points. As the whistle closed down the first quarter, the Thomians led the game twelve points to ten.
Petes started the second quarter with a mid range jumper and equalised the game twelve all. Petes opted for a 1-2-2 defensive strategy and made sure the driving lanes were off limits. Thomains shifting the pace up in the game opted to play through fast breaks passing wide across but they could not find perfect execution. Petes opting passing the ball around pushed the defense of the Thomians which helped them have the upper hand in the quarter. Rebounds for etched in a fair manner by both the sides hence the pros and cons were shared equally among them. The Bamba camp led the game by three points predicting a nail biter for the rest of the two quarters.
Half time – St. Peter`s College – 27 S. Thomas’ College – 24
After a much needed ten minute break, both the teams went hard at each other. Neither of the teams scored a point for four minutes into the third quarter. Thomians breaking the hoodoo shot a couple inside the line and paved their way into the game. The close tussle between the two teams continued and it was mandatory to commit unforced errors. Rebounds were coming in handy for the both sides even though the Thomians were slightly on top of it. They penetrated into the defense and made sure to draw fouls and convert the free throws into points which helped them to lead the game with a point at the end of the quarter.
The final six hundred seconds commenced with a point lead, Petes were not the best of outfits in dealing with pressure towards the end of the game. The Thomians latched on to it and pushed the defense of the Petes out of their comfort zone which created many loopholes during the first five minutes. Thomians led the game 42-48 with just under three minutes to go. Uvindu Kushmika who was playing fine minutes of basketball took control and squared the game 48 all with one and half minutes to go. it was a matter of one basket for either side to book the slot in the tournament semi- finals. Thomians doing what they do the best, penetrate-in, layed the ball off the board and scored the final basket which upped the score 50-48.
With eighteen seconds remaining in the quarter, the Peterites failed to find touch of the ball and despite the good fight had walk away in despair bidding adios to the trophy.
Full time – St. Peter`s College – 48 S. Thomas` College – 50
