Gateway College Colombo secured a comfortable win over the Colombo International School to be awarded ‘consolation champions’ at the U19 ‘A’ Division All-island Basketball championship which concluded today at the British School Indoor Basketball courts.
The two teams looked determined to go for glory from the start. It looked an evenly poised game at the start as both teams attempted to break free and secure a healthy lead. Gateway College’s passing and handling was not the most masterful but somehow regained possession of the ball most of the time.
The first quarter with all players giving their all, it was some exciting basketball on display. At the end of the first quarter the score read 15 to 10 Gateway College leading by 5 points.
First quarter; Gateway 15 – CIS 10
The second quarter was a rather slow phase of play where both teams made a lot of unforced errors missing easy lay ups and passes going astray many a time. The second quarter saw just 30 points being scored by both teams. Gateway scoring 17 points while CIS scored 13 points.
Second Quarter; Gateway 32 – CIS 23
As CIS looked to bridge the gap by playing aggressive and trying to apply pressure on the Gateway boys they too made some silly mistakes only resulting in lost possession which Gateway managed to capitalize on, a few times. Gateway had ample opportunities to make it an even greater margin but misdirected shots made them settle for just a 17 point lead over the Colombo International School.
Third Quarter; Gateway 56 – CIS 39
The game looked out of reach for the CIS boys even though it was not too convincing a performance by Gateway. It was not the exciting basketball one was expecting but rather a “who is luckier on the day” kind of game. Luck was surely on Gateway’s side. The only noteworthy player of the entire match was Gateway’s Nichula Liyanage who was effective in both his offence and defense, running around marking players down. Gateways man to man defense was very poor, the CIS players were totally unmarked when they were in the ‘D’ but still couldn’t make the most of it, whereas, CIS man to man defense was rather better but was simply unlucky as Gateway scored basket after basket widening the gap further and finally walking away winners quite comfortably.
Full time; Gateway 81 – CIS 46
One wouldn’t have even noticed that this was an “All island Basketball final” had he/she not been told, the standards were that ordinary. However Gateway College walked away ‘consolation champions’ at the U19 All island A division Basketball championship adding another success story to the schools sporting books.
