Royalists down Joes to claim Boys’ title
The winning Royal College team, after claiming ThePapare Basketball plum - Pic courtesy ThePapare.com
Royal College overcame St. Joseph’s College by 48-33 to win the ‘ThePapare Basketball Championship’ after an exciting Boys’ final, which took place at the Henry Pedris Courts in Colombo. St. Joseph`s emerged runners-up in the 2016 edition while Royal College emerged second runners-up.
This season, Royal College beat Asian International School in their respective semi-final while St. Joseph`s College beat S. Thomas` College. The victorious Royal team was led by Tharinda Balasuriya while vice captain Rukshan Atapattu, Amila Ambewatta, Vibuda Jayathilaka, Hasitha Saminda, Ravindu Jayawardhana, Lakmal Mabulage, Shenal Ambewatta, Nelaka Upasena, Gimhan Ravishanka, Binula Pawan, Heshan Hansaka, Leon Fambeck and Venuja were the other members.
The team had the able guidance and support of Head Coach Prasanna Jayasinghe, coaches Gavi Cooray and Chathura Rodrigo, master-in-charge Lal Indrakumara, Salinda Samarakoon, the Chairman of Advisory Committee, Roshan Samidon, the Secretary of Advisory Committee and teacher-in-charge Roshika Wickramasinghe.
The annual tournament commenced on September 2 with the Girls’ segment kicking off the action. Due to unfavourable weather conditions, the organizers were forced to put the matches on hold for a period of two weeks and the games recommenced on October 15. The quarter-finals and semi-finals of the Boys’ category took place during the past week with a fantastic crowd gathering at the Hendry Pedris Basketball Court. The girls of Holy Family Convent and St. Joseph’s Girls’ School made their way through to the finals in the girl’s category but due to adverse weather conditions, a joint championship was awarded.
Lyceum International College Wattala and Gateway College Colombo locked horns to claim the third place but again, due to adverse weather conditions a joint third place was awarded. The big final will be graced by distinguished Chief Guest, Director of Sport, Ministry of Education, Ahtula Wijewardena and Guest of Honour, Mangala Hettiarachchi, the Senior General Manager – Content and Global from Dialog Axiata.
Match Results
- Boys’ Final: Royal College (48) beat St. Joseph`s College (33)
- Most Valuable Player: Rukshan Atapattu (Royal College)
- Best Defensive Player: Shehan Samuel (St. Joseph’s College)
- Best Offensive Player: Tharindu Balasooriya (Royal College)
Previous Results of
Boys Category
- Quarter-final 1: Asian International School (66) beat Lyceum International School Wattala (52)
- Quarter-final 2: St. Peter’s College (43) beat S. Thomas’ College (52)
- Quarter-final 3: Royal College (66) beat Colombo International School Kandy (42)
- Quarter-final 4: St. Joseph’s College (58) beat Gateway College Colombo (40)
- Semi-final 1: Royal College (48) beat Asian International School (47)
- Semi-final 2: St. Joseph’s College (55) beat S. Thomas’ College (45)
Girls Category
- Quarter-final 1: St. Joseph’s Girls Schools (79) beat Ave Maria Convent (15)
- Quarter-final 2: Lyceum International School Wattala (41) beat Good Shepherd Convent (29)
- Quarter-final 3: Gateway College Colombo (51) beat Presbyterian Girls School (45)
- Quarter-final 4: Holy Family Convent (49) beat Visakha Vidyalaya (7)
- Semi-finals 1: Holy Family Convent (39) beat Lyceum International School Wattala (18)
- Semi-finals 2: St. Joseph’s Girls School (50) beat Gateway College Colombo (31)
- Consolation Final: Lyceum International Wattala and Gateway College Colombo (Joint champs)
- Final: Holy Family Convent and
St. Joseph’s Girls School (Joint champs)