The U20 and U17 Basketball squads of Trinity College have secured places at the forthcoming National Schools Basketball Tournament 2019 after their excellent performance at provincial level.
The Central Province tournament, organized by the Department of Education, was held from the 28th to the 30th of June at the St. Anthony’s Convent basketball court.
The U20 team played their first match against Azhar College and won by a thrilling last minute basket. At the semi-finals, against Kingswood College in a well-fought game, the team lost by a margin of four points. But, the senior team revived their glory by a brilliant lead over St. Sylvester’s at the 2nd runners-up game.
The junior team, just returned from a disappointing SLSBF ‘A’ division championship, proved to be merciless and desperate for a title.
The team’s hard work did not go unrewarded. The U17s cruised their way passing Kingswood College and St. Sylvester’s College with 20+ points to face a sturdy Gateway College team at the finals.
The match-up was tough, with both teams trailing from quarter to quarter. The Gryffindors had a six point lead at the end of the 1st half, yet the lions lashed back to win the game by 46-44, recording the team’s first championship this season.
The U17 Captain, Damsith Aluthgedera, was judged Best Basketball Player in the Central Province (U17 category) for his excellent performance and would receive the award at the Provincial Athletics Meet.
U20 Trinity College Basketball Team
Milinda Sirimanne (Captain)
Abheetha Athurupana (Vice Captain)
Pasan Samaraweera
Malith Weerasinghe
Lakshan Pathirana
Gemin Nanayakkara
Surinda Mudunkoth
Chehan Karunaratne
Francis Joshep
Kesarinda Egodawela
Pulith Cooray
Nimesh Bandaranayake
Ometh Dassanayake
U17 Trinity College Basketball Team
Damsith Aluthgedera (Captain)
Indura Wijeyratne (Vice Captain)
Travin Rajakarunanayake
Vivek Hettiarachchi
Praveen Ekanayake
Chanaka Perera
Shevindra Herath
Parinda Ratnayake
Cheleka Samaraweera
Senuja Godaliyadda
Jayageeth Basnayake
Kevin Tennekoon
Coach: Panduka Ranasinghe
Master in charge: Bryan Senaratne
Both teams are at a high standard, ready for the National Schools Game tipping off in September. The SLSBF U19 Tournament is also to be held soon.
The Trinity College Basketball team hopes to extend their wins column in the coming months. The College would like to thank the coach, Mr Panduka Ranasinghe and MIC Mr Bryan Senaratne, for their immense contribution towards a new era of basketball at Trinity.
