Josephian cagers shine at SABA 2024
View(s):St. Joseph’s College basketball players, Methika Jayasinghe, Darren Bernard, Adrian Wijayawardena, and Chamindu Wijesinghe were selected to represent Sri Lanka at the 2024 SABA Under-18 South Asian Basketball Championship, which took place in Sri Lanka.
An achievement that can be termed as remarkable for the school, the four Josephian cagers played in this tournament and the distinct achievement was Methika Jayasinghe, been appointed the captain of the Under-18 national squad. The national team was coached by St. Joseph’s College basketball coaches Randima Sooriyarachchi and Shane Daniel.
St. Joseph’s made a significant impact in basketball, becoming champions of the Sri Lanka Schools ‘A’ Division Zonal Championship, as well as winners of All-Island Under-20 Tournament 2024, conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Basketball Association.
The four players have excelled in tournaments organised by Sri Lanka Schools Basketball Association and were instrumental in securing major victories including championships for their school. Methika Jayasinghe won the ‘Best Player’ award at the All-Island Under-20 Tournament 2024, while also securing many certificates and awards for his significant achievements, as the ‘best offensive player and best player in the past. Both his parents played for the national basketball team.
Adrian Wijayawardena is also a versatile player and has represented Sri Lanka Under-16 team. Anthony Darren Bernard too has made significant contributions to his team and the school. He too has secured many certificates and awards in basketball and was awarded the most valuable player and best offensive player in the past. He has the honour of leading the Under-16 national basketball team that participated in the South Asian Basketball Championship in Qatar in 2023.
In addition, he has also showed his prowess as an excellent swimmer.
In the championship took place at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, India beat
Sri Lanka in the final by 87-62, while Maldives edged out Bangladesh by 59-57 to secure the third place playoff. As a result India qualified to participate in the FIBA Under-18 Asia Cup 2024 to be held in Amman, Jordan.