Hambantota Sports Club retained Carlton Cup 2014 with a comprehensive 24 point win over Colombo Basketball Club in the grand final worked off at the Henry Pediris Stadium on Saturday.
This year’s final was a rematch of last year’s final where HSC won in extra time after scores were leveled at regular time. Another thrilling contest was expected given the keen tussles between these two teams in the group stages, but HSC Blues proved that they were a well balanced side executing their skills to perfection.
HSC Blues took a ten point lead in the first quarter and had extended the lead to 20 points by the end of the half-time. The score was 46-26 at the end of half-time and HSC Blues were sensing victory having extended the lead to 25 points (66-41) at the end of the third quarter. The final score was 79-55.
Roshan Randima top scored for the winners with 23 points while their overseas player Marko Latinovic contributed 20 points. Latinovic also finished with 14 rebounds while Timothi Nituhsuan had eight assists.
For Colombo, the top scorer was their overseas player Janko Belic with 17 points while Sudesh Ahamed chipped in with 12 points and took eight rebounds. Roshan Fernando had four assists.
Track Masters won the women’s championship beating Sri Lanka Youth under-18.
The men’s ‘B’ Division title was won by Moratuwa BC, who beat Buffaloes Blacks 57-54.
Meanwhile, the under-14 boys’ final was won by Lyceum International School, Nugegoda, who beat Gateway College, Rajagiriya. Lyceum were ahead 19-03 at the end of the first half and won 41-12. The girls’ under-14 final was a nail biter. The final between Lyceum’s Nugegoda and Wattala branches went to the wire. Lyceum Nugegoda enjoyed a 15-09 lead at the end of the first half, but lost 26-27.
Gateway tasted victory in the under-19 Three on Three tournament beating St. Joseph’s College. Presbyterian Girls’ School won the girls’ tournament beating Visakha Vidyalaya.
