REIGNING champions Dharampeth Krida Mandal (DKM) girls came from behind to beat Nutan Bharat Yuwak Sangh (NBYS) in a thriller to retain the Junior District Basketball title at the Nagpur University courts on Wednesday. DKM girls with an average age of 15 years, lifted the U-18 title while Nagpur Amateur Sports Association (NASA) boys emerged as the new district champions as they defeated first time finalists Spartan Basketball Academy 51-46. In girls’ final, 13-year-old Netra Damke scored a game-high of 15 points as 14-year-old lanky guard Pankhudi Bade scored 14 points while seniors Anaya Prabhune (13) and Anandi Sonewane (6) made their presence felt to help DKM win the U-18 title by two points. NBYS took early lead by winning the initial two quarters 8-7 and 16-10 respectively, DKM eves dominated the proceedings after the half-time. DKM girls won third and fourth quarters 18-15 and 18-16 respectively to stun NBYS and record an exciting 53-51 win. For NBYS, Trisha Karki (12), Himangi Pund (11) and Nishita Bakre (9) played well.

 

The boys final played between NASA and Spartan turned out o be a close fight. NASA boys took an early lead but Spartan brought parity at the lemon break. In the third quarter, NASA took a marginal one-point lead and kept their cool in the dying stage to emerge champions by five points (51-46). The quarter-wise score in favour of NASA read 13-9, 8-12, 12-11, 18-14. For the winners, Ishan Galande top-scored with 24 points as Naman Tokar (8) and Dheer Agrawal (6) also chipped in. For Spartan, Ishan Bhujade (16), Siddhesh Mohite (9) and Samir Kharwade (8) played well. RESULTS (Finals) Girls: DKM (Netra Damke 15, Pankhudi Bade 14, Anaya Prabhune 13, Anandi Sonewane 6) bt NBYS (Trisha Karki 12, Himangi Pund 11, Nishita Bakre 9) 53-51 (7-8, 10-16, 18-15, 18-12). Boys: NASA (Ishan Galande 24, Naman Tokar 8, Dheer Agrawal 6) bt Spartan (Ishan Bhujade 16, Siddhesh Mohite 9, Samir Kharwade 8) 51-46 (13-9, 8-12, 12-11, 18-14).