Hyderabad district basketball: Golconda Gladiators edge Secunderabad Stallions 60-57 in junior boys final

Hyderabad: In a sea saw battle, Golconda Galdiators emerged winner with a 60-57 verdict against Secunderabad Stallions in the junior boys category of the Hyderabad district basketball championship at YMCA Secunderabad here on Thursday.

Stallions started well with Karthik being the major scorer whereas Sai Saketh and Yashmith played well for Golconda Gladiators.

However, it was Manideep’s three-pointer which helped Golconda Gladiators lead 17 – 14 at end of first quarter.

In the second quarter, Ansh of Golconda Gladiators was just unstoppable as he scored 14 of the 16 points scored by Golconda Gladiators while Vasist of Stallions tanked two three-pointers and Manvith scored through drive-in shots to score 12 points in the second quarter keeping in touching distance of Golconda Gladiators who led 33 – 26 at half time.

After the lemon break, Stallions tightened its defence to restrict Golconda Gladiators to just eight points and in turn scored 13 points, with Karthik scoring 11 consecutive points, ending the third quarter with a three-pointer to make it as two-point game as Secunderabad Stallions trailed 39 – 41 at end of third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Stallions relied on Karthik to do the scoring, whereas Gladiators’ Manideep and Rahman scored three three-pointers between them to increase the lead as and when the margin was reducing.

With just two minutes left for the match scores were level 55 – 55.

Gladiators tighten their defence on Karthik which affected his scoring, however Manideep scored through a drive-in and closed the match with a three-pointer to win the match.

Deepak John, Chairman. Minority Finance Corporation and District Congress Committee President, Secunderabad and other gave away the prizes.

The scores:Final: Golconda Gladiators 60 (Ansh 16, Manideep 16, Itihaas 10) bt Sec’bad Stallioins 57 (Karthik 26, Vasist 8).