CIS Kandy emerged champions in the Inter-International Basketball Tournament organized by the British School in Colombo after engaging in a nail biting encounter against their counterparts CIS Colombo in the finals where they managed to record a 64-61 victory.
CIS Colombo led the first quarter by three points as Nithesh Ranasinghe used his height to full effect against CIS Kandy who were yet to settle down into the game. However, Salim Khan ensured that CIS Colombo did not get too far ahead as he performed well in the first half to keep the score ticking for the lads from Kandy. At the end of the first quarter, CIS Colombo led 16-13 with their confidence building as the quarter progressed.
The second half started off brightly for CIS Kandy who equalized with their first offensive move in the quarter. CIS Colombo looked a bit tired off the blocks and failed to keep up with the pace displayed by CIS Kandy. Thulhara Dharmadasa played an integral role in the quarter with a few incisive passes and a good interception that resulted in a few points for CIS Colombo. However, CIS Kandy made their opponents pay for their aimless shooting that was evident throughout the second quarter, as they simply recovered the ball after the rebound and used the fast break to good effect, with Saleem Khan helping them immensely with the offensive work. Towards the end of the quarter, Nithesh turned up the heat as CIS scored three crucial baskets back to back to close in on what seemed like a large deficit as they reduced the lead to just a point at the half way mark. The other crucial fact being, that during that run CIS Kandy were also kept silent as they failed to add any points to the score.
With the momentum shifting, CIS Kandy still had the lead at half time with the scores being 28-29.
Even though CIS Kandy opened the scoring in the third quarter, CIS Colombo continued where they left off as they slowly took the lead once more and marched on. Again, Nithesh and Thulhara looked to be the most dangerous players offensively for CIS Colombo, with the latter contributing with a lovely three pointer straight through the middle. However, Umair Naleer stole the limelight in this quarter and in fact the whole match as he looked to be in a league of his own as he put CIS Kandy back in contention with three baskets in a row turning the heat up in the game. But at the end of the half, CIS Kandy had surrendered the lead they had earlier, as they trailed 47-46 setting up the platform for a tight fourth quarter.
Expectations of a tight tussle were dashed, as CIS Kandy rampaged through the CIS Colombo defence, with Umair faking and bursting his way through calling most of the shots. Almost everything he tried seemed to work for him, as he continued to have a brilliant game. CIS Kandy led by nine points at one stage. However, the saying goes ‘It aint over until the fat lady sings’ and CIS Colombo definitely had this in mind as they kept persevering without giving up, which bore fruit as they scored four in a row to cut the deficit to just three points. But CIS Kandy was awarded two free throws which were converted to two crucial points which definitely ensured victory and the title.
Final Score: CIS Kandy 64 – CIS Colombo 61
Best Offensive Player – Onello Gilbert (CIS-Colombo)
Best Defensive Player – Salim Khan (CIS-Kandy)
Most Valuable Player – Umair Naleer (CIS-Kandy)
Girls Finals – CIS Colombo beat Gateway College 38-37. (HT 26-05)
