HSC Dominates Avant Garde Basketball Tournament

146

HSC dominated the Avant Garde basketball tournament when they etched both the Champions and second Runner-up trophies. The match for the third place of the tournament was played between HSC Blacks and Colombo Basketball Club. At full time score board read in favour of HSC Blacks 62-58.

When clock struck five o’clock on the dot the ball was up in the air for the tap on the jump ball of the game. Colombo lads tapping it first were in possession of the game. Thought the Colombo lads tapped it first it was dominant half from the home team during the first five minutes of the game as HSC`s drew first blood of the game off a two pointer from the left elbow.

Both the teams took time to settle down in the game in both defence and offensive aspects.

Eighteen year old Praveen Ganlath playing some valuable minutes to the visiting team helped the unsettled team settle down in the offence when he controlled the game from the tips of his hand. Colombo skipper Harshadeva and Sanjeewa Hulumina finding touch of the shots from the down the arc and driving helped the visitors to survive a half dominated by the home team.

(Half time – HSC Blacks – 32 Colombo Basketball Club – 29)

Colombo coming back strongly during the final stretch of the play levelled the score board during the third minute of the third quarter. Praveen Ganlath taking two players on in the air swished the ball making the defenders just mere spectators. It was anyone`s game to take back home when both the teams were equal in rebound and stealing percentages. Skipper Harshadeva, Sanjeewa Hulumina and Praveen Ganlath controlling the game bought the lead back to the visitors at the end of third quarter.  It was a breath taking factor to witness both the skippers performing well equalising the scoreboard when the clock was under ten minutes to go. Ricardo Stephan took off his shot downtown and swished the nets to bring the lead back to the home team. With just two minutes to go Khanishka Sulkashana scored off the winning basket for the home side with basic layup off the board. With the win claimed HSC dominated the tournament when their Blues team went on to be the champions after nail biting finale over Avnat Garde A.

(Full time – HSC Blacks – 62 Colombo Basketball Club – 58)