Chance for double for Punjab schools in national basketball league

New Delhi, May 3 (IANS) Fr. Agnels, Mumbai set up a final showdown with Sr. Nav Bharti School, Ludhiana in the boys category while St. Joseph HS, Chennai face Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana in the girls summit clash of the first BFI-IMG Reliance National School Basketball League at the Thyagaraj Stadium here Saturday.

Madhu’s match-high 34 points were not enough as Modern School, New Delhi, went down to St. Joseph HS, Chennai 52-56 in the girls first semi-finals

Devi contributed 19 points while Nishanti and Ishwarya added 15 and 14 points respectively in a solid team performance by St. Joseph that saw them narrowly overcome their opponents. The Chennai school outscored Modern School in every quarter except the third.

In the other semi-final, Samriti’s incredible 51 points helped Government Girls Senior Secondary School easily beat Bishop Cotton Girls School, Bangalore 88-63.

Varshini Prasad scored 25 points while Lopamudra added 12 for the Bangalore school.

In the boys category, Fr. Agnels, Mumbai, beat Oxford Senior Secondary School, New Delhi, 85-78 in extra time.

Vaisakh (26 points) and Rohan (25) played a starring role in their team’s victory with Tanmay adding 18 points.

For Oxford Senior Secondary School, Saurav (20) and Abhishek (18) were the only key contributors.

Fr. Agnels will face high flyers Sr. Nav Bharti School, who thrashed The Bhavan’s Prominent, Indore 112-70.

The Ludhiana schools have been in top form and their class was clearly on show as they outgunned their opponents in all quarters of the game.

Gurwinder top scored 29 while Dildar chipped in with 19. Laxman and Mayank banked 24 points each but didn’t get too much help from their teammates.