Gateway College has once again demonstrated their dominance on the basketball court by clinching the All-Island Schools ‘A’ Division Basketball Championship – Under 15 Boys, organized by the Sri Lanka Schools Basketball Association (SLSBA). In a hard-fought final, Gateway emerged victorious over St. Joseph’s College Colombo with a score of 46-38, crowning themselves champions after an unbeaten run throughout the tournament.

Despite interruptions caused by adverse weather, which forced organizers to move the Quarter Finals, Semi Finals, and Final to indoor courts, Gateway remained composed and undeterred. Competing against 19 of the top teams in Sri Lanka, they showcased their prowess and teamwork from start to finish.

Dominating the Road to Victory

Gateway College’s journey to the final was nothing short of spectacular. They overwhelmed their opponents with decisive wins during the group stages by overcoming Isipathana College 81-26, Royal College Colombo 88-47, Maliyadeva College Kurunegala 81-27 and D.S. Senanayake College 70-20.

In the knockout rounds, they continued to dominate, beating St. Peter’s College, Colombo 68-27 in the Quarter Finals and St. Peter’s College, Negombo 79-33 in the Semi Finals, leading them to a triumphant final showdown against St. Joseph’s.

Exceptional Individual Performances

The team displayed outstanding individual performances that contributed to their overall success. Leading the team as captain and shooting guard, Ashane Theverapperuma played a crucial role in delivering key points during intense moments. His leadership on and off the court earned him the title of Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.

Vice-captain Samuel Tsung, who held down the power forward position, was a defensive powerhouse. His remarkable shot-blocking and rebounding skills were instrumental in shutting down the opposition, and his efforts earned him the award for Best Defensive Player.

At point guard Dhanuka Wijegoonaratne demonstrated incredible agility and court awareness, earning the nickname “Steal Master” for his ability to disrupt the opposition’s offense and intercept passes, giving Gateway the upper hand in crucial moments. Akain Vitanachy was a force to be reckoned with as power forward. His physical presence and versatility in both offense and defence helped control the paint, contributing significantly to the team’s rebounding and scoring efforts. Julan Senmitha, as centre, skilfully managed the team’s offense, demonstrating excellent vision and playmaking abilities, keeping the team composed and in control throughout the tournament. Together, the entire team cohesive unit, with each player playing their part in securing Gateway College’s triumphant and unbeaten journey to the championship. Gateway College’s achievement also reflects the strength of their basketball program and the hard work put in by the coaches under the leadership of Tharindu Fernando and the teachers-in-charge.