Sri Lanka Youth U18 women’s cager team bows out on a low note
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Sri Lanka cagers in action against Egypt - Pix courtesy FIBA website
Sri Lanka Youth Under 18 Women’s basketball team bowed out from the 3×3 World Cup Basketball tournament 2019 on a low note losing all four league matches thus failing out to find a slot in the knock-out round. The tournament was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
The island team playing in Group ‘A’ along with Egypt, Ukraine, Maxico and China had a poor run losing in the first game to Egypt 18-7, and then lost to China 21-5, Ukraine 22-4 and Maxico 13-9.
An exciting moment in the game between Sri Lanka and China
Sri Lanka was represented by H.K. Thisari, Taniya Perera, Liara Malmi and Hazeena Abdul.
The Lankan lasses always held the game in their possession at the start and their inability to convert the chances into points was the main cause of their down fall and the height of the opponent players was another cause the Lankans failed to match. The speed on the court movements counted a lot in winning which was of a high standard right throughout the tournament.
In the first game against Egypt Sri Lanka had the game in their possession but failed to put the finishing touches. The Lankans shooting accuracy was not up to the mark which resulted Egypt emerging winners 18-7. Egypt dominated the entire second game while Sri Lanka missed out easy lay-ups and under the basket shots at vital moments to reduce the losing margin.
Sri Lanka’s lack of shooting accuracy was exhibited once again in their second game against China. China moved swiftly across the court mixed both short and long range passing to dismantle the Lankan defence and opened many more opportunities in scoring ending as winners 21-5.
The disappointing run at the competition continued as they lost their third straight game against Ukraine 4-22. The Lankan ladies couldn’t muster up both in offence and defence, which was the prime difference between the teams.
With an idea of winning the final league match, Sri Lanka started the game on a promising note to lead 3-2 in the first two minutes. But Mexico coming into the game in the 4th minute equlled. Both teams missing countless shots, but Mexico fared far better in their passing and offensive boards.
Taniya Perera scored four points while H.K. Thisari and Liara Malmi scored three and two points respectively.
– Lakshman Ranasinghe