(ThePapare Basketball Championship 2017, Colombo, Sri Lanka) The matches were shifted to the Kothalawala Defence University Indoor Basketball courts due to bad weather conditions that were constantly disrupting the play.
S.Thomas’ Mount-Lavinia (STC) vs De Mazenod College (DMC)
The first match in the evening session was an easy win for STC against DMC. The top point scorer for STC was Yasiru and Kanishka with 14 and 7 points respectively. Chalich and Thakshila both went on to score 05 points each for DMC.
The first quarter started off with STC getting first possession of the ball and went on to open the account. DMC adapted into the game way late and was left with a lot to catch up. The two teams had completely different offensive strategies; DMC did most of their scoring through long passes and jump shots while the STC players capitalized on their three points shooting and jump shots. The boys from both teams played a little slower game compared to other days since they were not very familiar with the new courts. During the final half, STC went on to add 16 points but unfortunately, DMC added only 8 points. Towards the final few minutes victory was assured for STC. The final score read, 55-19.
Photo Album – TPBC17 | Group Stage – Boys | 16.09.2017 | Evening Session 01
St. Joseph`s College (Wattala) vs St. Joseph`s College (Colombo 10)
SJC Colombo went onto beat SJC Wattala with the final scores reading 73-51. Even though SJC Colombo won the match it was the final quarter that decided the winner. SJC Wattala failing to add any points in the final quarter lost control as SJC Colombo went on to add 25 points. Ishara and Shamin were the top scorers of SJC Colombo adding 17 and 10 points respectively. Shane did most of the scoring for SJC Wattala with 24 points.
D.S. Senanayake College (DSSC) vs St. Sebastian`s College (SSC)
DSSC beat SSC in a nail biting game going in to over time. At the end of the five extra minutes the final scores read, 32-57. Skipper Hanskia and Vishva added 14 and 13 points respectively for the Donz while Shennon added 14 points for SSC.
Both teams maintained an ‘A’ grade defence. However, the offensive strategies implemented by both teams took different forms. From the start of the match both teams took equal possession of the ball and controlled the game very well. Even though DSSC was leading, SSC managed to add 18 points in the final quarter which turned the tables around for the Moratuwa lads. Both teams were awarded extra minutes to decide the winner and it was DSC who took the maximum advantage in this last few minutes and went onto add 10 points. Unfortunately, the offensive aspect of SSC failed fully during the final few minutes.
Asian International School (AIS) vs Colombo International School (CIS)
AIS beat CIS, 73-58. AIS dominated the game in the first quarter by adding 26 points. CIS managed to add only 6 points as the quarter ended. AIS skipper Arnold Brent`s shooting was on point as he top scored with 26 points. Shivanga De Silva and Tahir of CIS added 31 and 14 points respectively.
Photo Album – TPBC17 | Group Stage – Boys | 17.09.2017 | Evening Session 02
AIS took control of the game from the very beginning dominating the court both in offensive and defensive aspects. They managed to get through CIS defence very easily without putting much effort in the first quarter since CIS took a bit of time to settle down. However, the second quarter of the game was a very successful one for CIS as they managed to add 22 points and AIS managed to add only 15 points.
Even though CIS did opt for a full court man to man defence it did not help them in cutting down the deficit as the early lead helped AIS to stay on top.
