Today, Karnataka boys and girls team made a big impact in the ongoing 60th Junior National Basketball Championships being played here at Indore.
In a crucial match , Karnataka boys outplayed Maharashtra 89-79, to advance into the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Today’s win also helped Karnataka graduated to Level I, for the next edition of the championships.
In ongoing meet, Karnataka played in Group C, and worked hard to climb up the ladder.
Karnataka girls too had a good day, scoring 74-54 win over Haryana to reach the last eight stage of the tournament. The girls team have also moved up to Level I, for the next edition. In the ongoing meet, the eventual winners were grouped in Pool C.
Of the above two matches, the boys competition was more exciting. The contest was so close that outcome of the game was decided in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter.
Maharashtra began its move on a positive note, leading in the first quarter, but lost the rhythm and lead at the end of the second quarter (36-39).
Both the teams were neck and neck in the third quarter.
But, In the last quarter, when it matter most, it was Karnataka that availed scoring chances to emerge winner and sail into the next round of the tournament.
Kerala boys also moved into the quarters by scoring 93-78 win over Andhra Pradesh.
But Andhra Pradesh girls prevailed over Himachal Pradesh 63-25, to move into the last eight stage.
All four above teams that reached the quarter today from Level II, had a tough day as they also had to play another match in the evening session. The winners of the match had a chance to decide its opponent for the quarters beginning from tomorrow.
In the evening session, Karnataka girls that defeated Andhra Pradesh 75-40, will face Delhi in the quarters. While Andhra Pradesh will take on Chattisgarh.
Kerala and Andhra Pradesh boys match is in progress. The winner has to choice which team (either Delhi or Chattisgarh) it will play in the quarters.
Results
Boys
Kerala 93 (Basil Philip 35, Sidiek Rasak 21, Roby Thomas 13) bt Andhra Pradesh 78 (S Farooq Basha 27, Ranga Reddy MV 16, Mirza Sajjad Beg 13).
Karnataka 89 (Yashash R 21, Abhishek YP 19, Faiz Azam Zia 15) bt Maharashtra 79 (Siddhant Shinde 21, Akshay 18, Mohsin 14).
Girls
Andhra Pradesh 63 (Koradh Jhansi 16, E Jyothi 9) bt Himachal Pradesh 25 (Poonam B 18, Jyoti Thakur 4).
Karnataka 74 (Navneetha PU 23, Sagarika Shyam 14) bt Haryana 54 (Salma 25, Indu Kumari 11).
Karnataka 75 (Sandhyam M 12, Sagarika Shyam 12, Jagdambika HS 12) bt
Andhra Pradesh 40 (D Tulsi Kalyani 13, A Surya Kumari 7).
Quarter Final line up
Boys
Madhya Pradesh/Tamil Nadu
Punjab/Uttar Pradesh
Chattisgarh/----
Delhi/----
Girls
Delhi/Karnataka
Kerala/Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra/Tamil Nadu
Chattisgarh/Andhra Pradesh
