Karnataka pull off a thrilling 47-44 win against Jharkhand; Rajasthan dominate MP 98-57

Karnataka pulled off a thrilling victory over Jharkhand in the 51st Sub-Junior National Basketball Championship at the Chennupati Ramakotaiah Indoor Stadium in Vijayawada on Monday.

The tournament kicked off with explosive high-octane action in the elite tier, where Karnataka and Jharkhand played their hearts out and neither side was willing to give it up. However, Karnataka managed to eke out a 47-44 win with Chayan KJ scoring 14 points for the winners and Dikush Kumar getting 12 for Jharkhand.

In another match, Rajasthan boys dominated Madhya Pradesh 98-57 courtesy a spectacular 49-point haul by Harshvardhan Singh.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh boys clinically crushed Mizoram 81-28, and the Karnataka girls registered an emphatic 78-43 win over Punjab led by Aarushi’s 17 points. In a nail-biting Level 1 thriller, Maharashtra boys edged out Delhi 66-63 in overtime, making a dramatic statement on opening day.

Hosts AP hoopsters begin with a bang even as Telangana teams fare poorly in Natl sub-junior

The prestigious eight-day sports extravaganza, which runs from September 28 to October 4, is being jointly organized by the Basketball Association in Andhra Pradesh, the Basketball Federation of India (BFI), and the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP).

The tournament features a high-stakes, tiered running format designed to maintain a highly competitive balance. Matches are conducted across two distinct tiers: Level 1 features the top 10 teams in the country battling to retain their elite status, while Level 2 features the remaining state teams fighting for upward mobility. Under this dynamic running format, the ultimate winners of the Level 2 tournament will secure an automatic promotion to the coveted top 10 elite tier for next year’s national championship, effectively replacing the relegated bottom-tier teams from Level 1.

A massive contingent of 54 teams from across the country—comprising 28 boys’ teams and 26 girls’ teams—have arrived in the city to compete. Over 640 young players will face off in a highly competitive league-cum-knockout format. To accommodate the heavy schedule, matches are being conducted concurrently across major indoor venues in Vijayawada, including the Maris Stella College Indoor Stadium and the Chennupati Ramakotaiah Indoor Stadium.

The opening ceremony took place under the patronship of Andhra Pradesh chief minister Shri Nara Chandra Babu Naidu, focusing on elevating the state’s sports infrastructure and scouting future sports stars for the nation.

Karnataka pull off a thrilling 47-44 win against Jharkhand in 51st Sub-Junior National Basketball Championship in Vijayawada on Monday

The tournament was formally inaugurated by Aadhav Arjuna, president of the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and minister for PWD & sports, Government of Tamil Nadu.

Speaking to the gathering, Aadhav Arjuna emphasized the federation’s steadfast commitment to nurturing grassroots talent and identifying the next generation of basketball stars to represent India on the international stage.

The inaugural function was attended by a galaxy of prominent leaders and sports administrators. Among the distinguished dignitaries present were MP Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni); Animini Ravi Naidu, chairman of the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP); and Members of the Legislative Assembly, including Gadde Ram Mohan Rao, Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, Srujana Chowdary, and Bode Prasad.

The host coordination committee, led by state basketball officials T Chengalraya Naidu (president), G Chakravarthy (general secretary), and M Revathy (treasurer), warmly welcomed the executive committee members and state presidents from all participating states.

Results: Boy Level 1 (Top 10 elite tier): Pool A: Rajasthan 98 (Harshvardhan Singh 49, Robin Dhanka 16, Rajat Vyas 10) beat Madhya Pradesh 57 (Shreysnsh Soni 21, Sameer 14). Uttar Pradesh 81 (Shabd Kumar 11, Vansh Tomar 11) beat Mizoram 28. Haryana 69 (Nikhil 16, Harsh Rathee 13, Keshai Kaushik 10) beat Mizoram 8.

Pool B: Karnataka 47 (Chayan K J 14) beat Jharkhand 44 (Dikush Kumar 12). Bihar 69 (Riteik M 30, Ayush K S 20) beat Meghalaya 42 (Pyntngenlang Kharjana 12, Nemaiah Zac 10). Maharashtra 66 (Mayank Sharma 17, Aarush Tomar 15) beat Delhi 63 (Vansh Dalal 21, Jishan Malik 11) (Overtime Thriller).

Level 2 (Promotion qualifiers): Pool C: Tamil Nadu 130 (Ritwik Alvin 13, J Mohammed Jahiz 11, Viman M 11) beat Goa 14.

Pool D: Kerala 102 (Ayush N S 19, Philson Maneesh 11, Jerard Jaison 10, Akshith C Sajan 10, Harinand P Nair 10) beat Chandigarh 22.

Puducherry 76 (Yokeshwaran R 23, Divyan P 12) beat Chandigarh 43 (Devyank Kumar 11). Kerala 91 (Philson Maneesh 19, Harinand 18, Jerard J 10) beat Himachal Pradesh 36 (Saurav R 16).

Pool E: Gujarat 55 (Ulva Vraj Asokbhai 26, Aviraj Bariya 13) beat Jammu & Kashmir 42 (Vansh Choudhary 23, Avay Badyal 13). Jammu & Kashmir 50 (Avay Badyal 22, Vansh Choudhary 17) beat Arunachal Pradesh 34. Odisha 93 (Suvam Behera 26, Shah Faisal 16, Sumiran Mahananda 12, Oarath Singh Rathore 10) beat Gujarat 57 (Gohil Laxopsingh Kanaksingh 11).

Girls Level 1 (Top 10 elite tier): Pool A: Karnataka 78 (Aarushi 17, Khushi 16, DhanyaShree 14, Anara 10) beat Punjab 43 (Amreen Kaur 12).

Pool B: Maharashtra 86 (Netra Damke 16, Anika Nayak 12, Aarushi Apte 12, Vira Bhanage 10) beat Odisha 74 (Jayashree Chhhual Singh 20, Monalisa Majhi 18). Madhya Pradesh 55 (Vaidhehi Gupta 10, Monika Dhakad 10) beat Chhattisgarh 35 (Gurpreet Kaur 18).

Level 2 (promotion qualifiers): Pool C: West Bengal 38 (Mousumi Mahata 9) beat Haryana 26 (Kashish 10).

Pool D: Delhi 59 (Nyra Khosia 19, Chhavi Singh 14) beat Himachal Pradesh 31.

Pool E: Rajasthan 43 (Sejal Sharma 19) beat Puducherry 30 (Kavya Shree 14). Rajasthan 75 (Sejal Sharma 20, Kopal Garg 10) beat Jammu & Kashmir 4. Chandigarh 53 (Chandani K 16, Riddhi 10) beat Puducherry 44 (Kaavya S A 13).

Pool F: Meghalaya 24 (Nengnongi 9) beat Bihar 23 (Prince Doliy 14).

Jharkhand 39 (Maira Fathima 14) beat Meghalaya 24 (Elyza Elaria 11).