Hyderabad: Delhi Public School hoopsters seek a double after reaching two finals

HYDERABAD: Defending champions Delhi Public School brooked no challenge as they cruised to an easy 61-39 win over St Anthony’s High School to march into the final of the girls’ section at the Rev Fr M Devasia Memorial 17th Annual Inter-School Invitation Basketball Tournament. In the final, they will take on Gitanjali Devshala who defeated The Future Kids 59-36.
In the boys’ final, it will be a clash between Delhi Public School and Chirec Public School.
In a well-contested first-half, Gitanjali and Future Kids, last year’s finalist, were neck-and-neck for most part of the half with Tanvi and Avni scoring for The Future Kids and Joshika and Ruchi combining well for Gitanjali.
After change of ends, Gitanjali played a fast paced game to score 19 points in the third quarter and with a tight defense restricted The Future Kids to just four points. Gitanjali girls took a comfortable 46-28 lead at the end of the third quarter. In the last quarter too, Gitanjali continued at the same pace and sealed their berth in the final with a 59-36 verdict.
Delhi Public School eased past St Anthony’s after leading 30-18 at half-time. DPS played a fast paced game scoring through Harshita to take a quick 14-4 lead at the end of the first quarter. However, within minutes into the 2nd quarter Anthony’s, riding on Apeksha and Arpita’s drive-ins, levelled the scores at 16-16. However, DPS girls regrouped well to lead 30- 18 at half-time. After change of ends, Anthony’s tried very hard to make a comeback but the DPS girls were firm in defense and comfortably won 61-39.
In the boys’ category, Chirec Public School upset defending champions The Future Kids 57-45 after the scores were tied 20-20 at half-time.
Akshin waged a lone battle for The Future Kids whereas Chirec played a team game with all the players contributing. After change of ends, Chirec switched to man-to-man marking which made a huge impact on the Future Kids’ scoring. Future Kids scored only three points while Chirec scored 19 points through Aakash and Ritvik. In the fourth quarter, Future Kids tried to make a comeback through Harivansh scoring seven consecutive points but the deficit was too big to bridge.
Delhi Public School eased past St Joseph’s (Habsiguda) 61-32 after being comfortably placed 30-17 at half-time. DPS excelled in both offense and defense and St Joseph’s were just not able to break the DPS defense though Vipul played brilliantly. Vishwanath of Delhi Public School scored at regular intervals to ensure their berth in the final.
Results (SFs): Girls: Delhi Public School 61 (Harshitha 22, Keertana 12, Khushi 12) bt St Anthony’s 39 (Shruti 12, Apeksha 8, Arpeeta 8). Gitanjali Devshala 59 (Joshika 18, Ruchi 19, Tanvitha 10, Shubhangi 10) bt The Future Kids 36 (Tanvi 12, Brinda 6).
Boys: Chirec Public School 57 (Ritvik 19, Aakash 10, Arun 10) bt The Future Kids 45 (Akshith 14, Harivansh 8, Mahaneeth 6). Delhi Public School 61 (Sai Kritin 22, Rithvik 18, Vishnwanath 10) bt St Joseph’s (Habsiguda) 32 (Deekshith 10, Harshan 10, Charith 8).