Colombo International School Kandy went head to head with Lyceum International School Nugegoda for the Consolation Finals in the Boys’ segment of the Inter International Basketball Championship 2016 last evening.
After what proved to be a well contested match up at the British School in Colombo courts, Lyceum International School walked away with the 3rd place spot, outscoring their opponents 79-81 at the final whistle.
The two teams wasted no time in settling into the game. Ginura opened the scoring for LISN, while Dinal got the scoreboard ticking for CISK. CISK progressed with a strong defensive suit in the first quarter. With the big man Elvy Kibaka registering blocks and securing defensive rebounds, they were able to make room for more scoring opportunities at the other end. Adopting a full court press, they applied a significant amount of pressure on their opponents. The LISN game appeared to be somewhat shaky as a result of this, but they countered with a couple of well executed fast breaks. LISN opted for a 1-2-2 formation on the defense. CISK led the first quarter 16-11.
Photo Album: CISK v LISN | Inter-International Basketball | 3rd Place – Boys
Lyceum proceeded to shift the momentum of the game in their favour in the second quarter. They started off strong with an 8-0 run. Switching to a full court press, they cut off possession in their opponents’ half and wasted no time in finishing off at the basket. However, CISK recovered on defense, and continued to guard the lanes well. Halfway into the quarter, many of Lyceum’s players driving at the basket had been cut off by the CISK big man. Lyceum’s big man, Navina matched up by securing well contested rebounds and scoring points off the paint. LISN started to convert from the three point arc. Overall, both teams were tight on defense, and at halftime, LISN managed to lead 34-35.
Halftime: Colombo International School Kandy 34 – Lyceum International School Nugegoda 35
The two teams shifted to a higher gear in the second half, rejuvenated after the ten minute interval. It was pure neck and neck basketball, and was a quite a treat to the onlookers.
Things began to get shoddy early on in the third quarter for CISK. An apparent lack of strategy was proving to be fatal, as they lost possession on a few too many turnovers. LISN seemed to deliver through loopholes in the CISK defense. Matched with an equally strong defense, they led 43-53 at one point in the game. They secured their rebounds and worked the ball around well, firing quick passes. They strategically positioned their little man, Indisham at the centre of the court, enabling him to make a break for it on the fast breaks. CISK appeared derailed for a moment, their experienced five not being able to take charge of the game. However, the experienced Kiran Karaliyadde, stepped up and led CISK’s scoring in the third period. He amassed a total of 12 points in the quarter, scoring from all over the court. LISN inched up further from their opponents at the end of the third quarter, leading 56-66.
Highlights – Lyceum International School – Nugegoda v Colombo International School – Kandy
Arshad fired a quick three pointer for LISN to set the tone for the last six hundred seconds remaining in the match. CISK were prompt with their reply, the substitute Omila converting one from downtown. CISK were playing catch-up to the deficit that lay on the scoreboard. The point guard Hamza, played a big role for CISK in the last period. He managed to score a few points early on and secured many assists. His well-executed assists, helped his team narrow down Lyceum’s lead. Lyceum’s decision to post Indisham to closely guard CISK’s danger man Kiran, left little room for him to make any plays work for CISK. As a result he was merely a spectator of the scoring, and took more of a support role in the last period. Arshad and Sandeep drove the lanes to keep LISN’s scoring consistent, but the fire with which Lyceum played the third quarter, seemed to have toned down.
Both teams were clearly feeling the wear and tear of this intense game. Pushed on by an eager coach and enthusiastic bench, CISK levelled the score 77-77, with 2:30 left on the game clock. They even managed to secure the lead 79-77 on the very next play. Clearly upset for blowing a healthy lead, Lyceum tightened the reins on defense and managed to regain the lead with the scoreboard reading 79-81, with only thirty seconds left. CISK were granted one last chance after a well called timeout, to even the score. Lyceum managed to pull off a brilliant steal of the inbound pass, and proceeded down the court to run the game clock down, and walk away with 3rd place honours.
Fulltime: Colombo International School Kandy 79 – Lyceum International School Nugegoda 81
The winning captain, Rushdy, has this to say about his team’s performance. “The team came back strong from a weak start in the first quarter, and we really settled in to the game and played our level best.”
Top Scorers:
Arshad (LISN): 25 points
Dinal (CISK): 25 points
