Holy Family Convent (HFC) Bambalapitiya and St. Joseph’s College Colombo clinched the girls’ and boys’ championships of the All-Island Schools Under-20 A-Division Tournament at the finals held recently. It was a battle of the saints in the boys’ and a battle of the convents in the girls’ encounter.
HFC do it 4-in-a-row!
The Familians beat Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena (GSC) 58-49 in the finals held at Bambalapitiya HFC Courts. In the first quarter HFC led narrowly 9-8. However, GSC got back to the game to lead and go for half time with a slender lead of 23-21. In the 3rd quarter however HFC Bamba regained the lead 40-34. At the final whistle the home girls clinched the championship with a well deserved 9-point lead.
Meanwhile St. Joseph’s Girls’ Schools Nugegoda beat Lyceum International School Wattala 43-28 in a thumping performance at the third place consolation finals.
Special awards – Girls
Most Valuable Player – Dihini Dharmadasa (HFC). Scored 32 points in the final
Best Defensive Player – Binuthi Jayasinghe (HFC)
Best Offensive Player – Sonali Perera (GSC)
Joes beat arch-rival Petes
The Peteries had to settle with the runners-up position for the 2nd year in a row as their traditional Battle of the Saints rivals from Darley Road St. Joseph’s College clinched the championship beating the Bamba Brigade 59-56 in a closely fought grand finale.
Just like the girls’ finals, Joes had a tiny 18-17 lead at the first quarter. The home side St. Joseph's, playing in their Skyrim Arena, went into halftime 37-30. The Josephians continued their momentum as they led the 3rd quarters as well with a 4-point lead with scores reading 46-42. And until the finals whistle the Joes held onto their lead and never let the Peterites take their lead away.
Special awards – Boys
Most Valuable Player – Methika Jayasinghe (SJC). Scored 19 points in the final.
Best Defensive Player – Abhaya Gajamange (SJC)
Best Offensive Player – Ayyoob Shiham
Incidentally, both the Girls’ champions, Holy Family Convent, and the Boys’ champions team, St. Joseph's were coached by Roshan Randima Suriyaarachchi and Shane Daniel.