Ananda overcome Cambrians at inaugural basketball encounter
View(s):The inaugural basketball encounter played for the Eranga Weerasinghe Challenge Trophy was successfully held at Baller’s Hub in Moratuwa, bringing together two of Sri Lanka’s most prestigious basketball institutions, Ananda College and Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa. The encounter was conducted under the All-Island Schools Under-20 Division ‘A’ Basketball Championships framework, marking a significant milestone in school-level basketball.
The final was a highly competitive and entertaining encounter, with both schools demonstrating exceptional skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The quarter scores reflected the closely contested nature of the game with Anandians dominating three quarters, while the Cambrians made a remarkable comeback in the final quarter only to be edged out overall.
Ananda College cagers who won the first encounter
Ananda claimed the first three quarters by scores of 12-10, 23-12 and 18-15, before the Cambrians dished out a 28-25 return in the final quarter, as walked out winners with the final score of 78-65. Ananda cagers claimed two of the three individual awards on offer, with Semal Dematapitiya winning the Best Player of the Match award and Sudam Liyanage claiming the award for the Best Offensive Player. Prince of Wales’ Nejan Ferdinando was named the Best Defensive Player of the encounter.
Ananda, led by Vihandu Dharmapala, included Hesara Koralagamage, Jaith Gamage, Sudam Liyanage, Yugeeth Thenuka, Thisuka Liyanage, Lasith Sandanayake, Kaveesha Wendika Bandara, Hiruka Amavin, Sasi Himath Jayaweera, Semal Dematapitiya, Sadeesha Pavan, Kavindu Weedagama, Akith Dulshan and Heshan Sadeesha, and was guided by their coach Supun Wimal.
The Cambrians basketball squad
Prince of Wales, under the captaincy of Rihanna Dilshan, included Vijan Ferdinando, Nejan Ferdinando, Pasindu Dilshan, Vihaga Dilshan, Rasindu Nimsara, Gamitha Pivithuru, Malisha Lakshan, Lithum Losadu, Himanshu Navanjana, Lithil Nanayakkara, Sahen Kumara and Haridu Mihisara with Tharaka Darmakumara guiding the side as coach.
The event was graced by Chief Guest Eranga Weerasinghe, former national basketball player, former Sri Lanka Schools and Ananda captain, who emphasised that the establishment of that this trophy encounter aims to uplift, promote, and motivate the next generation of basketball players, while strengthening the proud traditions of both institutions.