Last years runners-up Indian Gymkhana registered a hard-fought win over Deccan Gymkhana,Pune to qualify for the junior girls quarter-finals,in the 9th Nagpada Basketball Association Invitational Tournament,at the Bachookhan Municipal Playground,Nagpada on Monday. Spearheaded by Kimberley who top-scored with 19 points,Indian Gymkhana surged to a 52-37 win,after leading 24-16 at half time. Deccan kept pace with their opponents in all the four quarters,but the experienced Indian Gymkhana managed to stay ahead marginally. It was Indian Gymkhanas second win in as many matches that helped them top Pool B. Deccan will next clash with Andheri YMCA in a match that will decide the second team from the pool to qualify for the quarter-finals. In a mens league tie,hosts Nagpada Basketball Association edged Indian Gymkhana 68-49 in a crucial Pool D encounter to become the second team to qualify for the quarter-finals behind pool toppers YMCA International. With a win and a loss to their credit,both teams battled hard for the second spot in the pool. But the superior NBA sealed the issue,with Mohsin Shaikh top-scoring with 19 points and Aquib Khan adding 14 and Mazhar Khan scoring 13. In the youth boys league,Indian Gymkhana overcame Ghatkopar YMCA 43-18 in their opening Pool B tie,with Israel,Shantanu and Sagar doing the bulk of the scoring for the winners. Results: Jr. Girls league: Pool B: Indian Gym 52 (Kimberley 19) bt Deccan Gym,Pune 37 (Saaz Karandikar 12). HT: 24-16. Youth Boys league: Pool B: Indian Gym 43 (Israel 16,Shantanu 12,Sagar 10) bt Ghatkopar YMCA 18 (Chaitanya 4,Tejas 4). HT: 25-8. Men: NBA 68 (Mohsin Shaikh 19,Aquib Khan 14,Mazhar Khan 13) bt Indian Gym 49 (Nikhil Ayre 11,Akash Shetty 10). HT: 29-19.
