(ThePapare Basketball Championship 2017, Colombo, Sri Lanka). The second quarter-final in the girls’ category was worked off today (4th September, 2017) at Gateway College, Rajagiriya. Good Shepherd Convent (GSC) took on Lyceum International School – Wattala (LISW), LISW ended the game winning it, 29-41.
Pre-Match Quotes
Coach of Good Shepherd Convent, Susil Udukumubura speaking to ThePapare.com said, “I am playing the match without the services of two key players, since they are in injury trouble. Hoping to emphasis on the defensive aspect and put pressure on the opposition”.
Match Report
Both the teams took their own sweet time in settling into the game as none of them scored inside the first three minutes. It was GSC who opened the score with a mid-range jumper and led the game for another two minutes, until LISW joined the party. Living by the coach`s plan the defense was set tight by the GSC lasses as LISW only managing a couple of points into the maiden quarter. The shots were missed off the rim even though there were many attempts by the LISW girls. Shots died down and pressure piled up as the maiden quarter ended with a GSC lead, 6-2.
Photo Album – TPBC17 | LISW vs Good Shepherd Convent | QF 02
LISW badly needed to re-patch their offensive strategies if they wanted to end on the winning side. It was a tight zone defense that GSC adapted to during the first couple of quarters. Implementing a simple pass and cut play, LISW slowly but steadily rattled down the GSC defense. LISW went on to score 17 points in the second quarter, catching up the deficit missed out on the first quarter. GSC failed to handle the pressure in the defense and hence missed out on the same momentum in defense. Going into lemons, LISW lead the game, 11-19.
It was not the best of the games by the defending champions after, having missed out on the momentum their shots bounced off the rim. They only managed to 05 points in the third quarter and 13 points in the final quarter. Lacking rebounds, it was tough to keep up with the opposition scoring rate.
Pawani Ranepura and Lubna Morseth together with Aurora Mandakini scripted the perfect defense for LISW. When one player rebounded the other was all set to clear the rebounded ball to the point guard to set the offensive platform. Even though LISW lads did lack fitness on their side, the less pressure from GSC made the game an easy ride.
Passes were intercepted and fast breaks came through for LISW while GSC struggled with their set shots. Without the fundamentals, it was a tough ask for the defending champions to plot a win out of the game. GSC bowed out of the competition as LISW won the game, 29-41 at full time.
Post-Match Quotes
Coach of Lyceum International School – Wattala speaking to ThePapare.com said, “It was tough conditions for us to play since we have not practiced for this heat, but happy that our girls pulled through. Looking to do better in the semi-final stage”.
