Lakshan Mendis of Colombo South International School (CSIS) came up with flying colours to save the day for his team in the second semi-final, netting a mammoth 63 points, out of a total of 85, against strong St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena, at the Inter-Lasallian Junior Basketball Tournament worked off at De La Salle College courts, Colombo, last week.

Mendis continued his lone battle in the final encounter too but his special efforts weren’t good enough as they went down to Lyceum International School, Nugegoda, by a 4-point margin in the 5th and final day of this Under-14 tourney.

In the final, CSIS were in the hunt thanks to Mendis after taking a narrow first-half lead by 6 points (32-26) but they were stunned later as the "Blue Knights" from Lyceum came back fighting to make it a Ding-Dong Battle in the end. "The White Knights" from CSIS couldn’t continue in the same vein as they went down 57-53 in the end. Aqib Aslam, who won the award for the Best Defensive Player of the Tournament, led in front netting 20 points for Lyceum and he was amply helped by Rahul Samarakoon who chipped in with 14. Mendis, who became the Best Player of the Tournament, scored 43 for CSIS.

Mendis, the star of the tournament, scored a memorable 63, of a total of 85 points, against St. Benedict’s. St. Benedict’s played their heart out but Mendis was always in the middle of their way. His solo effort earned his team a chance to enter the grand final.

"Even though I scored a lot of points in the tournament, my team-mates helped me a lot. So, it’s a team effort. It (the semi-final) was a close game but in the end we played well to beat the strong Bens outfit," said 13-year-old Mendis just after the semi.

He further added: "I began my basketball career last year and I practise under Anushka Ishanth Wijesuriya who is a fine product of De La Salle College basketball. I hope to play in the Sri Lankan national team one day."

Let’s meet Keser and Ganlath -

Brendon Keser of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo, was another impressive player whom ‘Sunday Island - Sportstar’ met during the Inter-Lasallian Basketball. Keser shone for St. Joseph’s and he was the top scorer for them too. He scored 23 points in the first semi, against Lyceum, which the Josephians lost by 21 points and once again he top scored with 17 in the 3rd place Playoff which his team lost by just one point.

The 13-year-old Keser started his school basketball in 2003 and later led in front to guide his team to become U-13 All-island School Champions in 2005.