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Roshan and Shane pair up to create history in basketball

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St. Joseph’s Under-20 team

In an unparalleled showcase of skill, strategy, and exceptional coaching, St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10, and Holy Family Convent, Colombo 4, have etched their names into Sri Lankan basketball history by clinching both the U17 and U20 titles at the All-Island National Schools Basketball Championship. For the first time, the same coaching team—Roshan Randima and Shane Daniel – paired up to guide both schools’ boys’ and girls’ teams to victory, making this accomplishment as much a testament to coaching mastery as to the players’ commitment.

Roshan Randima and Shane Daniel have set a new standard in Sri Lankan school sports by steering both the U17 and U20 teams from St. Joseph’s College and Holy Family Convent to the pinnacle of success.

St. Joseph’s Under-17 team

Their unified vision, tireless dedication, and sharp tactical insight propelled the boys’ and girls’ teams alike, achieving something unprecedented in the history of Sri Lankan basketball. Their synchronized coaching approach cultivated a spirit of excellence and unity that transcended individual teams and wove both schools’ athletes into a cohesive force on the court.

This victory also reflects the invaluable support from St. Joseph’s College Rector, Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi, Prefect-of-Games Rev. Fr. Samesh Anthony, and Master-in-Charge of basketball, Hemal Fernando. Their backing provided a foundation that allowed Roshan Randima and Shane Daniel to fully realize their vision for the teams.

HFC Under-17 team

In the boys’ category, St. Joseph’s College exhibited their dominance. The U20 boys team achieved a decisive 63-41 win over DS Senanayake College, while the U17 boys’ team outplayed Ananda College with a resounding 70-50 score. These victories were as much a tribute to the players’ talent as to the guiding hand of their coaches, who have enjoyed unprecedented success during their stellar coaching careers. The leadership that Roshan has shown is truly remarkable indeed and he’s ably supported by Shane.

In the girls’ division, Holy Family Convent reigned supreme. The U20 team defeated St. Joseph’s Girls School, Nugegoda, 51-34, while the U17 girls overpowered Holy Family Convent, Jaffna, with a 60-38 victory.

HFC Under-20 team

Celebrating the tournament’s outstanding players, MVP titles were awarded to St. Joseph’s College’s Charaka Perera (U20 boys) and Aaron Gerald (U17 boys), as well as to Holy Family Convent’s Kishuri Reiss (U20 girls) and Binuthi Jayasinghe (U17 girls).

Reflecting on this historic feat, the captain of the U20 St. Joseph’s team shared, “Through God’s will and grace, and with the unwavering support of our coaches, parents, fathers, and MIC, we were able to bring the title where it rightfully belongs.”

This extraordinary triumph has set a new benchmark in Sri Lankan school basketball. Their dual victories in both age categories for boys and girls represent not only the peak of sportsmanship but also the profound impact of dedicated and visionary coaching.



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Sri Lanka look to maintain winning run at home

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Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka and New Zealand stand-in skipper Mitchell Santner pose for images ahead of the two match T-20 series at Dambulla

Rex Clementine at Dambulla

Sri Lanka’s cricket team has been in top form throughout 2024, securing victories in 11 of their 14 bilateral series across all formats. They’ve particularly dominated on home turf, winning nine out of ten series. Captain Charith Asalanka expressed their commitment to sustaining this winning streak as they gear up for an upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand, beginning today.

The series against New Zealand will feature two T20 matches followed by three ODIs.

“We’ve been working hard to climb the rankings across all formats,” Asalanka said in a press briefing. “Our aim is to break into the top three, and consistent victories are the path to that. This is a new series; we need to leave recent successes behind and start fresh on Saturday “

However, rain looms as a potential disruption in Dambulla. Sri Lanka’s training session on Friday morning was canceled due to heavy rains, and New Zealand’s evening practice under lights seemed doubtful, with the pitch fully covered.

Sri Lanka’s success at home has largely relied on their spin attack, yet Asalanka acknowledged the possibility of adjusting their strategy if the rain continues. “The rain could influence our game plan,” he admitted. “Spin has been our strength, but with this weather, we may need to consider an additional seamer.”

New Zealand, meanwhile, suffered a 2-0 defeat in the Test series of their Sri Lankan tour last month. But they rebounded spectacularly by sweeping a historic three-match series in India, marking the first time India have faced a home whitewash.

Key players from that remarkable series—Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Rachin Ravindra, and Tim Southee—have since returned home to prepare for their upcoming three-match Test series against England. Also absent is former captain Kane Williamson, who missed the India Tests due to injury.

Mitchell Santner will lead a refreshed New Zealand squad in the white-ball series. “With the busy schedule, some players opted to return home to focus on the England series,” Santner explained. “We have a lot of white-ball cricket coming up, so it is important that we give some of the new players in the squad a go,” Santner added.

Sri Lanka Squad:

Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (Wicketkeeper), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando, and Asitha Fernando.

New Zealand Squad:

Mitchell Santner (Captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Mitchell Hay (Wicketkeeper), Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Tim Robinson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, and Will Young.

Umpires:

Ruchira Palliyaguruge (SRI) and Ravindra Wimalasiri (SRI)

TV Umpire:

Lyndon Hannibal (SRI)

Match Referee:

Ranjan Madugalle (SRI).

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Damsath, Annaya win Under 14 ATF singles titles

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Damsath Peiris and Annaya Norbet won the boys’ and girls’ singles titles of the ATF Under 14 week two tournament at Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts on Friday. While Damsath beat Yudheerya Atapattu 6- 2, 6-1 in the boys’ final, Annaya Norbet fought back from a set down to beat India’s Diya Ravikumar 4-6, 7-6, 7-6 in the girls’ title fight.

 

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Mahanama earn first innings points

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Under 19 Cricket

by Reemus Fernando

Mahanama earned their first points of the tournament when they settled for a first innings win against Prince of Wales in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ tournament match at Moratuwa on Friday.Chasing a target of 153 runs to win Thurstan were 144 for five wickets when rain forced an early end to the Division I match against St. Anne’s who earned first innings points at Thurstan ground.

At Reid Avenue, St. Benedict’s were 165 for six wickets when rain brought an abrupt end to the first day’s play in the traditional match against Royal.The match between Ananda and Holy Cross College saw only 39 overs being bowled on day one due to wet weather conditions.

Mahanama in first innings win over Cambrians at Moratuwa

Scores:

Prince of Wales 172 all out in 54.4 overs (Gavesha Rohana 51, Yehenith Bandara 46, Suwahas Fernando 29; Sithum Vihanga 5/45, Anuka Wijewardana 2/34) and 58 for 5 in 12.3 overs (Chamika Heenatigala 2/20)

Mahanama 151 for 4 overnight 260 for 9 decl. in 73.1 overs (Dulneth Algawatte 82, Chamika Heenatigala 91, Eshan Withanage 39; Nethul Anuhas 3/79, Prince Fernando 2/35)

St. Anne’s win first innings at Thurstan ground

Scores:

St. Anne’s 104 all out in 38.1 overs (Shehan Kumara 51; Rachintha de Silva 4/40, Thanuga Palihawadana 3/20, Sethru Fernando 2/10) and 146 all out in 39.4 overs (Buddhima Nandasiri 25, Sanuja Dissanayake 46, Chamith Sesanjana 36; Thanuga Palihawadana 2/58, Sethru Fernando 2/25, Rachintha de Silva 2/16, Yovun Silpa 3/19)

Thurstan 98 all out in 41.2 overs (Dinal Induwara 32, Pathum Dananjaya 27; Brazeer Shakeel 2/24, Shehan Kumara 5/16) and 144 for 5 in 43.4 overs (Dinal Induwara 20, Sethru Fernando 21, Rachintha de Silva 43n.o., Pathum Dananjaya 44n.o.; Shehan Kumara 2/41, Yashmin Jayasundara 2/11)

Day one limited to 49 overs at Reid Avenue

Scores:

St. Benedict’s 165 for 6 in 48.5 overs (Samindu Peiris 88; Ranuka Malaviarachchi 2/37, Kuchila Ranmadala 2/16)

 

 

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