ThePapare Basketball Championship 2017 kicked off as the Group B matches commenced at Gateway College – Rajagiriya. St. Joseph`s Girls` School (SJC Girls) took on Lyceum International School – Wattala (LISW) while Gateway College – Rajagiriya (GCC) took on Vishaka Vidyalaya (VV).

Most Popular Team of ThePapare Basketball Championship 2017

Most Popular Team of ThePapare Basketball Championship 2017..

Both teams were evenly matched, having three players each in the side who have represented the island nation in the international arena. The disadvantage fell upon SJC Girls, as their key player Selomi Gunasekara had to sit out due to a knee injury.

Despite this, SJC Girls went on to lead the game at the end of the maiden quarter by a point, 10-09. LISW dominated the rebounding factor since the tip-off as experienced campaigner Pawani Ranepura etched most of it. SJC Girls did square the game 14 all with two minutes remaining before lemons, yet the strong offense by LISW grabbed the lead by three points as half time scores read 19-16.

The offensive possessions of SJC Girls stagnated due to heavy leakage of points in their defense, as the pressure built up since they failed to match up to the opposition offense.  The third quarter was a nightmare for the SJC Girls as they were only able to score 03 points in reply to the 14 points made by LISW.

Photo Album – TPBC17 | Girls – Group B | Morning Session | 02.09.2017

SJC Girls was in a desperate need of a tight defensive plot to stop the leakage of points, then transfer the momentum into playing an attacking offense. Pawani Ranepura was fouled in the final quarter which rattled LISW`s game plan completely. Rebounds started dying giving the SJC Girls the second attempt at the hoop which they did not have the luxury of enjoying for the past three quarters.

SJC Girls, making a strategic move, switched to full court in the final seven minutes of the game. Lubna Morseth, lacking fitness, was not able to play her role for LISW. With a full court press to beat, Pawani being fouled out, Lubna lacking her energy, things did not play the same way for LISW.

SJC Girls halted many possessions of the opposition which bought more confidence in their offense. SJC Girls once more squared the score card 35 all with two minutes remaining on the clock. A three pointer dished out from the perimeter shifted the lead back to SJC Girls 35-38 with a minute and a half left.

LISW did get a golden opportunity to square the game and move onto over-time but Lubna Morseth missed both the FTs as hopes were diminished. SJC Girls gaining advantage of the missed FTs went on to close the game by recording their first win at full time, 36-39.

Sivshakthi Selvaraja, Coach of St. Joseph`s Girls School, speaking to ThePapare.com said, For three quarters we were playing a very lethargic defense and due to that the offense was very slow. So I felt that a change in the defense will change the momentum for us and that`s what we did and how we won the game”.

The second game in the morning session was played between Gateway College – Rajagirya and Vishaka Vidyalaya. Even though Vishaka Vidyalaya did score first and the game was 6 all at the end of the first quarter, Gateway College cruised through to win the match 42-13 at full time.