Kandy Vs Colombo CIS battle in grand final

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Category: basketball

Published on Saturday, 19 November 2011 09:42

Written by Dilshan Sirisena

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The finals of the Inter- International School Basketball Championship was worked off today at the British School Indoor Basketball courts. CIS Colombo took on the CIS Kandy lads at this grand finale. The spectators no doubt must have experienced one of THE best International School finals of this nature. CIS Colombo managed to squeeze though to grab the champion title by defeating CIS, Kandy 86 points to 82 at close of play.

Center, Jithendra De Silva for CIS Colombo opened the scoring for the day with a well timed shot taken inside the D. In reply Salim opened the scoring for the opponents with 8.57 minutes on the clock. Thereafter consecutive baskets by captain Thushanth, Umhair and Ishfahan helped CIS Kandy gain a slight lead over CIS Colombo. Once again Jithendra with his fantastic shot selection shot a well timed three pointer to start the scoring for CIS Colombo again. Captain Thushanth of CIS Kandy top scored for the quarter with 9 points under his skinny, helping the Kandy lads lead at the end of the first quarter with 19 point to 11.

Shannon Bartlett of CIS Colombo started the scoring for the quarter with consecutive steals converted into baskets with the clock at 8.03. Umhair, who was dazzling on the court with his marvelous ball handling skills in reply, scored quick baskets breaking the dry spell of the Kandy team. Nithesh Ranasinghe for CIS Colombo went on to score consecutive baskets helping them gain control of the game by taking the lead for the first time in the match. CIS Colombo thereafter took complete control of the quarter as point guard Shannon went on to score 2 more quick baskets. He was ably assisted by Jithendra and Rajivan Somasunderam with the scoring. Star player, Lahiru scored the last point before the end of the first half. At Half time CIS Colombo led the game by 34 points to 26 on the scorecard. Shannon top scored for the quarter with 08 points.

The commencement of the third quarter displayed a true battle between the two point guards of the teams. Umahir, small made in physique was outstanding with his crossovers while Shannon on the other hand displayed true ball handling skills and well timed passes. Ishfahan opened the scoring with 2 quick consecutive baskets. Avishka Karunarathne in reply scored in reply with an under the basket shot at the 8th minute of the quarter. Salim, Ishfahan and Umhair scored 3 baskets at a stretch putting pressure on CIS Colombo. The Kandy lads played a very aggressive game from the beginning of the match, thus putting immense pressure on the opponents. Oneallo Gilbert and Shannon thereafter commenced the scoring for the Colombo team. Lahiru taking possession of the ball scored 4 valuable baskets to battle it out with the Colombo side helping them tally the scores 9 seconds to go in the clock for the quarter to finish. He top scored for the third quarter with 11 well deserved points.

The final and most deciding quarter of the match proved to be adrenaline pumping as both teams managed to score a magnum of 30 points each at the end of full time. Even though CIS Colombo scored the first points for the quarter the marvelous defense by the Kandy team restricted them from scoring till the 6.37 minute of the match. Captain, Thushanth driving the team was well assisted by Salim, Lahiru and Umhair to score more baskets while putting extra pressure on the opponents. Nithesh Ranasinghe managed to break the continuous scoring of CIS Kandy by scoring though a foul and basket. Umhair once again gaining control of the possession for CIS Kandy scored 3 consecutive baskets through sneaky steals. The final quarter also saw 4 players from both teams being out of action as they were found guilty of committing 5 fouls. This was the turning point of the match. Oneallo Gilbert and Jithendra De Silva did the major scoring for the CIS Colombo side in this quarter bringing then scores to 76 – 75 with 20seconds to go on the clock. Start player for CIS Kandy, Lahiru managed to creep in a free shot to tie the scores at full time and extend the game into extra 5 minutes of play as extra time.

Shannon opened the scoring and went on to score more baskets with the assistance of Jithendra and Nithesh, helping them gain back the lead. With 1.44 minutes to go Lahiru and Salim scored a basket each to bridge the scores. However, during the final minutes of the match, De Silva and Bartlett managed to score the final points adding the finishing the touches to the nerve thrilling final. At the final whistle scores read in favour of CIS Colombo with 86 points to 82.

Special mention should be made of Lahiru, Ishfahan, Umhair, Shannon, Jithendra and Nithesh for their outstanding performance on the court today. Ishfahan of CIS Kandy won the best defensive award while Lahiru won the best offensive player. Shannon Bartlett of CIS Colombo was adjudged as the most valuable player of the match. Asian International School was placed third in the tournament.

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