Asian International rout S Thomas’ on home turf

Thursday, 10 July 2014 00:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Asian International School proved too hot for S Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia when they trounced the latter convincingly by 79 points to 36, to clinch the Boys’ Under-17 All-Island Sri Lanka Schools, Colombo South Zonal Basketball Championship, which was played at S Thomas’ College courts.

At the end of the first quarter the match was well balanced with both teams level on 10 points each. However, by halftime the AIS boys had the game well in control with them leading 38 points to 22. Taher Akbarally was in cracking form for AIS with 37 points, while Damshika Piyasena chipped in with 18 and Vinsuka Sannasgama 9. For the Thomians Adrian Gunawardena top-scored with 15 points and Maheeshan Serasinghe added 8. Earlier in this tournament Asian International School beat Royal Institute and Mahanama College convincingly. In the semi finals S Thomas’ College beat St. Peters’ College and AIS convincingly defeated Royal College Colombo by 35 points (64 to 29) to breeze into the final. AIS skipper Taher Akbarally was in amazing form scoring 40 points against a formidable Royal team. Chamathca Seneviratne and Shazon Perera also chipped in with 10 points each.

Maheeshan Serasinghe of S Thomas’ was adjudged the Best Offensive Player, while Damshika Piyasena of AIS and Taher Akbarally also of AIS were selected as Best Defensive Player and Most Valuable Player of the tournament respectively. AIS Team: Taher Akbarally (capt), Gavin Ramsay, Chamathca Seneviratne, Damshika Piyasena, Shazon Perera, Somesh Ranasinghe, Vinsuka Sannasgama, Nelson Baek, Azad Fazly, Shravanan Ravi, Thurith Haputantri, Manish Perera. The team is ably coached and guided by Ajith Kuruppu with K. W Mitrasena as master in charge.