It was the ability to hold their nerve in sticky situations that helped them overcome stiff odds for under-13 glory at the Sree Kanteerava indoor courts. Sports School stunned Mounts Club 34-32 while Viveks SC edged out favourites Young Orions 33-28.
The matches, which were to be held on the cement courts, were moved indoors as the threat of rain loomed large before the scheduled 4.00 pm start. Although, the shift in venue facilitated the conduct of both the matches, the wooden court, covered in layers of dust from the renovation work in recent months, posed problems for the young hoopsters.
Despite all those worries, Sports School girls and Mounts Basketball Club put on a good show in the girls’ title decider. Sports School, led by Lavanya (12) and Rashmita (11), stuck to playing rough and their tactic helped them register a close win.
In the boys’ category, Young Orions looked set to win the crown quite easily after a couple of promising quarters. Viveks, however, clawed their way back through Sahil (10) and Prateek (9) for top honours.
Results: Boys: Viveks SC: 33 (Sahil 10, Prateek 9) bt Young Orions: 28 (Atiwat 15). HT: 10-13; Halasuru SU: 23 (Chanakya 10) bt Appaiah BC: 21 (Ajith 6). HT: 13-4.
Girls: Sports School, Mandya: 34 (Bhandavya 19) bt Mounts Club: 32 (Rashmika 9). HT: 13-15; Vimanapura SC: 26 (Sonia 10) bt JSC: 17 (Anusha 9). HT: 10-11.
Standings: Boys: Viveks SC 1; Young Orions 2; Halasuru SU 3.
Girls: Sports School, Mandya 1; Mounts Club 2; Vimanapura SC 3.