(ThePapare Basketball Championship 2017, Colombo, Sri Lanka). The final day of the preliminary rounds for the boys` category was played at Kothalawala Defense University Indoor Courts. Here`s a look at what happened during the morning session.
S. Thomas` College (STC) vs Colombo International School (CIS)
STC took on CIS in a must win game to secure their place in the quarter-final stage. Defending champions, STC did open the scoreboard and led the game at the start. Yasiru Bimantha scored 10 of his 16 points inside the maiden quarter. Heading to the 2nd quarter STC made sure that they are playing an aggressive defence and converting CIS turnovers to points. CIS only managed to add six points during the second quarter which gave STC a fourteen points lead at half time, 32-18.
As the second half began CIS moved their defence to half court press which STC struggled to get past. CIS lads were able to outscore STC 22-14 during the third quarter. The final quarter was a tough contest for both sides. STC went on to score 16 points while CIS added 15 in reply. Yet the early lead helped STC to cross the winning line as the final scores read, 62-56.
Asian International School (AIS) vs St. Benedict’s College (Bens)
From the tip-off, AIS didn’t hesitate to show their fire power. Bens were way out of the game as they only managed to add a couple of points at the end of the maiden quarter. AIS went on to score twenty points in reply. Bens did make inroads to the game, as they scored eight points during the second quarter and managed to hold off AIS for just four points. Half time scores read in favour of AIS, 24-10.
Arnold Brent commenced the second half for AIS with two shots from downtown and went on to score fifteen points for the third quarter. There wasn’t much of a difference during the rest of the second half of the game as AIS did what they do the best; ticking the score board consistently. At full time AIS closed the game with a win, and secured the spot in the quarter finals, 52-27.
D.S. Senanayake College (DSSC) Vs Gateway College (GCC)
Even though DSSC did tap the jump ball and drew first blood it was GCC who led the game at the end of the maiden quarter by nine points. GCC continued their form into the second quarter as they topped the rebound count and converted the second chances into points. DSSC only scored 4 points in the entire quarter and GCC lead the game by 15 points into half time, 15-30.
GCC made 18-12 run in the 3rd quarter which helped them to lead the scoreboard. Heading in to the 4th quarter DSSC played their A grade defence but fell short at the final buzzer, 44-61.
