Gateway beats Ananda 67-56 to win All-Island U17 Basketball Title

BASKETBALL: Gateway College, Colombo overcame stiff resistance from Ananda College, Colombo to win the All Island Under 17 Basketball Final played at the Ananda College Courts last Sunday.

Ananda dominated during the first 20 minutes of the game and led 40-30 at half time.

However, the unbeaten Gateway boys took charge of the proceedings in the third quarter and cantered their way to win the game 67-56, to notch their second successive All Island Championship. Gateway power forward Melantha Jansz was named the most valuable player of the final, an award he has won for the second time in his career. Gateway's Centre, Lakith Weerasinghe won the best defensive player award.

In the Semi-finals, Gateway beat Mahanama 73-58 while Ananda beat Lyceum, Wattala. In the consolation final, Mahanama beat Lyceum to secure the third place. The tournament was conducted by the Sri Lanka Basketball Association.