Gateway beats CIS twice

Angu Rajendran

The Under 13 International schools girls and boys’ basketball tournament organized by the Colombo International School came to an end yesterday with Gateway on top. Gateway beat CIS both in the boys and girls finals at their home court.

In the boys’ final match Gateway beat CIS 43 - 18. It was a case of Goliath meeting the little Lilliputans of CIS. The tiny CIS players could not stop the gigantic twelve year old Melantha Janz of Gateway from scoring.

Both teams used trap defence but in the second quarter, Melantha who has been playing basketball for the last two years came into the court. It was a one man show after that. There was nothing that CIS could do, to stop the strong and sturdy players of Gateway - Melantha and Ruchio from scoring. Melantha pulverized the CIS defence to score 28 points while Ruchio scored 8. For the losers Hashen played valiantly to the end, scoring six points while Ruzzaik and Navin scored four points each.

In the consolation finals AIS beat Alethea 46 - 17. Bevan (15), Taher (10) and Chirantha (10) excelled for the winners while Ryan scored 6 for the losers.

In the girls final CIS had the advantage of the taller players but the aggressive Gateway girls playing player to player defence stole the show.

With 2 defensive players on Tasha Fernando - the tallest CIS player - Gateway completely stopped her from scoring. Gateway beat CIS girls 23 - 13. Shenuka Wakkumbura (10) excelled for Gateway while Bihani of CIS scored 4.

In the consolation final OKI International School beat Lyceum Wattala 26- 6. Amanda of OKI excelled with 12 points.

Michael Chapell - Principal CIS gave away the awards.

For the - Most Valuable Player of the tournament (Boys) Melantha Jansz (Gateway)

Best Offensive Player Navin Kalugampitiya (CIS)

Best Defensive Player Ruchio Paramawansa (Gateway).

Most Valuable Player of tournament (Girls) Shenuka Wakkumbura (Gateway)

Best Offensive Player Osuri Ariyakumara (Gateway)

Best Defensive Player Ishani Fernando (CIS).

Gateway College has won the Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 International Schools Basketball girls and boys Championships but their coach Tharindu says “Winning a championship is easy but maintaining it is very hard”.