Ghatkopar YMCA, Hi-5 Dixit champs
Ghatkopar YMCA and Hi-5 Dixit won the boys and girls under-13 titles, respectively, while Ghatkopar Kreeda Pratisthan (GKP) emerged boys’ under-16 champions, in the 125th YMCA Open Basketball Tournament.
Ghatkopar Kreeda Pratisthan, who led by a narrow 18-16 margin at half time, took the match away with an inspired second half performance while overcoming formidable Savio Club for an impressive 45-34 victory.
Ghatkopar YMCA snatched a thrilling 20-19 win over 360 Life Changer in a gripping boys’ under-13 final, while Hi5 Dixit fashioned a 13-12 extra-time win over Indian Gymkhana in the girls’ under-13 championship round that also ended in an edge-ofthe seat thriller.
Trailing 5-7 at half time, Ghatkopar YMCA endured stiff resistance from 360 Life Changer and fell behind again at 11-13 at the end of the third quarter that set the stage for a humdinger. It was a neck-and-neck battle in the fourth and finalquarter with top-scorer Dulare Khan leading 360’s challenge, until Ghatkopar YMCA changed the script with a brilliant effort spearhead by leading scorers Vrushabh and Mahesh.
Hi-5 Dixit ended an actionpacked day of close encounters when they overcame a gallant Indian Gymkhana 1312 in the girls’ under-13 final that stretched into extra time, following four gripping quarters. After trailing 2-4 at half time and 5-8 at the end of the third quarter, Indian Gymkhana initiated a stunning recovery to force the match into extra time. But, in a contest that could have gone either way, Hi-5 fired four points in extra time in reply to Indian Gymkhana’s three, to terminate the suspense.