Zahira & Rahula enter semi-finals

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Earlier today in the third day of the U19 C division all island basketball tournament both Zahira College and Rahula College beat Wesely College and Vidura College respectively.

Zahira College v Wesley College

The first match of the day started off with Wesley College scoring the first basket through a shooting foul. As both the teams began to execute their offensive strategies, both teams favoured driving into the rim. But towards the latter part of the first half Wesley College failed to continue the momentum in driving as the opposing team tightened screws in defense. Hence they switched strategies to passing to the open and opt for the mid-range jumper.

Zahira College was quick to adjust their defensive tactics as they halted the jumpers and went onto bombard the opposition defense to lead the game by nine points into the ten-minute break.

Half-time: Zahira College- 21 Wesley College- 12

The double blues got the party started first in the second half.  Zahira College topped the game with agility as they intercepted many passes and converted them into points via fast breaks. During the final minutes of the game Wesley lost the plot in both their defense and offence as they only scored nine points for the second half. Asnaf doing what he does the best did most of the scoring for Zahira College as the sealed victory with a nineteen-point lead.

Full-time: Zahira College- 40 Wesley College- 21


Vidura College v Rahula College

Vidura College drew first blood in the game. Sticking into the strategy of passing around the perimeter Rahula College spotted the loop hole in the defense as they struck through it many times.

But the hosts adjusting into the opposing game plan quickly counter-attacked with mid-range jumpers and layups as they had the slight edge of three points into half time.

Half-time: Rahula College-12 Vidura College- 15

The game went right down to the wire as Vidura College taking full advantage of the home field, dominated proceedings at the start of the second half. It was a tight half as both teams fought hard and neither team was able to get a significant lead over the other. Vidura College shifted their offensive strategy to taking jump shots. But lacking the services of an experienced bench substitution issues in fitness popped out. It resulted in gaps in the defense which Rahula College used in full flow to take the game away from the home boys.

It was a point difference that helped the visitors to cross the white line into the semi-finals.

Full-time: Rahula College-44 Vidura College-43