Army BC clinched the “B” Division men`s trophy as they beat HSC Youth with a robust last quarter as the score board read 51-44 at full time.
The game commenced with the traditional jump ball start and it was won by the soldiers. They drew first blood immediately through an on screen layup. HSC Youth failed to settle down into the game for the next two minutes and it was a 0-0 run. HSC Youth opted for the usual sagging defense while the opponents trusted themselves with a man-to-man strategy. Both the teams lacked a clear plan in offense and it was just the odd shots that kept them alive in the game. There were many possessions which could have ticked the scoreboard but they ended in utter failure due to unforced errors. Neither team was on top of their game in effecting rebounds and it was a below par show.
HSC blues took twelve minutes to be exact to settles themselves in the game as they started the second quarter with a mid-range jumper. It is all about the shifting the gears up and down until you find the correct momentum and luckily HSC Youth found it sooner than the Soldiers. Army BC’s defense was not at its best during the second quarter. Subsequently that pressure of leaking points transferred into their offense which made it a shaky one. HSC Youth etched a fair amount through offensive rebounds even though they missed it in the defense. The HSC Youth defense was not the best but Army BC failed to capitalize because of the pressure. The game was called off for lemons as HSC Youth comfortably led the game by eleven points.
Half Time – HSC Youth – 25 Army BC – 14
Thirty minutes into the game, the Soldiers settled themselves down. Bringing a double team defense into play they managed to hold down a fair amount of points from their end. The third set of ten minutes was a treat to watch from the fan`s point of view. Both the teams doing exactly what the doctor ordered during the half time created plays in offense which were denied only by unforced errors. It is a common mistake that would light up in a highly aggressive game which cannot be altered strategically. Both the teams penetrated into the defense to draw fouls and they were converted into points at the free throw line at an average level. HSC Youth capitalizing on the early lead held sway with a four point margin.
The last six hundred seconds commenced and the Soldiers squared the game 42-42. From that point onwards it was a matter of intelligent play to seal the victory. Army BC went on with the man-to-man defense while they opted for the double team wherever possible. As the pressure piled up HSC Youth lost the momentum as they failed to tick the scoreboard in many possessions. Whereas Army BC held it’s cool and nailed down a couple outside the arc. Army swapped the fate in a couple of minutes and their defense in the final sixty seconds was the key factor which helped them to tuck the game in their pockets.
Full time – HSC Youth – 44 Army BC – 51
ThePapare.com player of the match – Sameera Vithana (Army BC)
