Maharashtra girls lift National title

NEW DELHI, June 23: The DPS (RK Puram) main court has proved lucky for Maharashtra girls. At the same venue in 1991, they had won the champ...

NEW DELHI, June 23: The DPS (RK Puram) main court has proved lucky for Maharashtra girls. At the same venue in 1991, they had won the championship. And today, after six years, they wrested the crown in a thrilling final of the SAIL-sponsored 48th Junior National basketball championships, beating a determined Madhya Pradesh 53-43. Maharashtra led 26-20 at the break.

What clinched the issue in favour of Maharashtra was undoubtedly the technical superiority and a good gameplan. Otherwise, MP, who had beaten Maharashtra in the league stage, held the edge. Their excellent ball control and great opportunism brought out the best from Maharashtra.

Under pressure in the second half when MP narrowed down on the lead to 41-45, the Maharashtra star shooter Arnika Gujar went for the ultimate three-pointers. All her three attempts went into the basket, fetching her nine points on the trot and helping her team to a comfortable lead with less than two minutes to go.

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With the team flag already up following seven fouls, Maharashtra could not indulge in any fancy. Even their counters at time proved ineffective as they gave away quite a number of fouls and free throws which the MP girls converted only partially. This, to a large extent, went against MP.

MP pivot Anita Krishnan had a special role to play to prevent the prolific Arnika approaching the inner court and also go for the rebound collection.

She succeeded in her attempt to prevent Arnika but in the latter role she failed to click. But in the end Maharshtra were destined to win, thanks to their bench strength. Their coach Ajit R Khaladkar and manager M Venkatesh excelled with their timely advice.

BRIEF SCORES

GIRLS (final): Maharshtra 53 (Mithila Gujar 11, Sapna Tunge 5, Arnika Gujar 24, Prandya Mane 13) bt Madhya Pradesh 43 (Anita Krishnan 6, Priyanka Wankhade 14, Akansha Rajak 14)

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Third place: Karnataka 44 (Reshma Punith 16, Nethra TK 15) bt Tamil Nadu 40 (Leebana Mercy 10, S. Anita 9)

BOYS (third place): Andhra Pradesh 55 (S Vinay Kumar Yadav 16), E Madhusudana Rap 15) bt Rajasthan 48 (Mohit Bhandari 15, Narender Kumar 12)

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