Local sports
Sanathnagar and Nizam turn up the heat in a thriller of a game at Sam Memorial tourney
The heat is truly picking up with the daytime temperatures increasing by the day even so the action at the 6th Samuel Vasanth Kumar Memorial Basketball Academy is getting hotter with each match. On Saturday, Sanathnagar Playground and Nizam Basketball Academy turned on the geyser as they became involved in a thriller at the YMCA Secunderabad basketball court.
Under lights, the teams dished out one of the most memorable encounters of the tournament thus far. It had all the hallmarks of a battle which went to the wire. In the end, only one team could prevail and Sanathnagar Playground just about managed to pip Nizam Basketball Academy at the post in a 74-72 victory.
At the break, Sanathnagar had just about got their nose ahead as they led 34-33. The victory helped Sanathnagar Playground to book their spot in the semifinal league to be played from Monday.
The game started with both teams jostling to get the upper hand. Majid and Charan combined well for Nizam Basketball to score 11 points, but Tejendra of Sanathnagar Playground was just unstoppable as he scored half of the 16 points that his side got in the first quarter. Nikhil netted a 3-pointer as Sanathnagar got of a brisk start and ended the first quarter at 16-11.
Tejendra of Sanathnagar PG going for a lay-up shot against Nizam BA at the 6th Samuel Vasanth Kumar Memorial Basketball Tournament at YMCA Secunderabad on Saturday. Pics: Mohd Hadi
That was the only period where Sanathnagar Playground had enjoyed a five-point cushion. After that it was a grim battle on hand. Tejendra continued with his scoring spree for Sanathnagar Playground, but Majid, Charan and Anthony upped the ante for Nizam Basketball Academy. Both teams scored at a brisk pace and the quarter ended with Nizam Basketball Academy chipping away at the Sanathnagar Playground lead. The winners led 34-33 at half-time.
After change of ends both teams matched basket to basket as the scores were level 52-52 by the end of the 3rd quarter. There was not much to separate the teams and hoopsters of both sides were in no mood to give the other side any room.
In the final quarter, the lead swung from one end to the other like a pendulum. Sanathnagar Playground’s Sudershan netted two 3-pointers, while Nizam Basketball Academy’s Aravind showed his scoring skills in the paint area.
With just 20 seconds left for the match there was still no clear winner as the scores were tied 72-72. At this juncture, Nizam Basketball Academy committed a foul and the resultant free throws were converted by Sudershan to the utter delight of his teammates. Sanathnagar breathed a heave of relief and lived for another day as they won the game 74-72.
In a late-night match on Friday, Titans got the better of BITS, Hyderabad, 59-50. Titans had led 35-27 at half-time. Vignesh scored 17 points, while Kunal and Salman scored 13 and 12 respectively for Titans. Avaneesh scored 30 and Arnav got 11 for BITS, Hyderabad.
The tournament is being conducted by Sports Writers Association of Telangana (SWAT) under the aegis of The Hyderabad District Basketball Association.
Results: Sanathnagar PG 74 (Tejendra 24, Sudershan 20, Nikhil 11, Jasim 7) beat Nizam BA 72 (Aravind 23, Majid 19, Charan 11, Anthony 9) HT: 34-33.
Friday night match: Titans 59 (Vignesh 17, Kunal 13, Salman 12) beat BITS, Hyderabad 50 (Avaneesh 30, Arnav 11) HT: 35-27.
Follow scores and results of all games here:
https://whatsscore.com/tournament-group/413138/tournaments/413141/view