COLOMBO, August 15 (ePRESS) – Asian International School (AIS), Colombo ended a 16-year wait in emphatic fashion when they crushed St. Thomas’ Catholic International College, Seeduwa 65-35 to win the Sri Lanka Schools Under-17 Girls’ B Division Basketball Championship at the Olympus Indoor Stadium in Malabe.
AIS produced a convincing performance in the final, winning by a massive 30-point margin to complete an impressive championship campaign.
Zoe Perera was named the Most Valuable Player after playing a major role in AIS’s success, while Nethumi Wijendra received the Best Offensive Player award for her strong attacking performance.
The championship was a major milestone for AIS, who returned to this level after a 16-year absence and finished their campaign by taking the title.
The team was captained by Shrutika Sridharan, while Nethumi Wijendra and Onadi Perera served as vice-captains.
AIS had already shown their strength on the road to the final. They defeated St. Peter’s College, Negombo 54-38 in the semi-final at the Ballers Hub in Moratuwa.
Earlier, AIS produced another strong performance to beat Sangamiththa Balika Vidyalaya, Galle 72-52 in the quarter-final. Their 20-point victory.
The AIS squad also included Zoe Verma Perera, Ruckshekha Sivakumaran, Rudeena Amarasinghe, Thinuli Ranasinghe, Retika Sridharan and Harisha Ratnakumar.
The title success was built on the commitment of the players and the strong support behind the team.
Principal Harshana Perera gave his fullest support to the basketball programme, while the Head of Sports Ms Nihara Bagoos provided guidance and support throughout the campaign.
Coach Chathura Wickramage, Teachers in charge Ms Gimhani Gamage and Ms Shamali Rajapaksa played a key role through dedication and hard work with the players.
For AIS, the 65-35 victory was more than just a convincing win in a final. It completed a memorable return to the championship stage after 16 years and gave the school a major basketball title after an outstanding tournament run.
