Josephian cagers dominate junior tourney
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Seated from left: Waruna Priyashanth (Physiotherapist), Chamath Gimhana, (Assistant Coach), Randima Sooriyaarachchi (Co-Coach), Adrian Wijayawardena (Vice Captain), Rev. Fr. Priyan S. Tissera (Principal of Primary School), Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi (Rector/Principal), Rev. Fr. Samesh Anthony (Prefect of Games), Darren Bernard (Captain), Shane Daniel (Co-Coach), Hemal Fernando (Master-in-Charge), Rimaz Hassan (Chairman - BAC) Standing from left: Yethum Mudalige, Praveen Kariyawasam, Kavith Perera, Ovin Martino, Aaron Gerald, Chamindu Wijesinghe, Raphael Suraweera, Damketh Dammalage, Manish Perera, Marlon Lanerolle, Brendan Xavier, Methuka Karannagoda, Aviel Jayasuriya
The St. Joseph’s College Under-16 basketball team was crowned champions at the Junior Basketball Tournament organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Basketball Federation. The Josephian junior cagers beat Gateway College by 84-66 in the final played at the Gateway Basketball courts in Rajagiriya.
Of the total points, Adrian Wijayawardena top scored with 25 while Aaron Gerald scored 22, while Chamindu Wijesinghe (17), skipper Darren Bernard (16) and Damketh Dammalage (4) contributed to the Josephian victory. Skipper Darren Bernard was adjudged as the most valuable player for his spectacular performances and his team mate Aaron Gerard was adjudged the best defensive player. Bilal Shafraz of Gateway was adjudged as the best offensive player.
In the preliminary rounds St. Joseph’s beat St. Anthony’s Wattala (70-54), Prince of Wales, Moratuwa (73-46), Karandeniya Central (63-29) and Dharmashoka, Ambalangoda (59-37) to reach the knockout round. In the quarter-finals, the Josephians beat Trinity College (64-50) and in the semi-finals they beat Ananda College (85-55) to reach the final.
The winning streak continued for the Josephians as they were also crowned as the Under-17 All-Island Basketball champions, organised by the Ministry of Sports and the Under-18 All-Island and the Under-20 All-Island basketball champions in 2022, organised by Sri Lanka Schools Basketball Federation.