Local sports
Victory Playground overcome Keystone BA 70-59 after a plenty of drama on court
There could not be more drama than the one witnessed on Friday evening at the YMCA Secunderabad basketball court. In what was literally a tug-of-war, Victory Playground had to play out of their skins to overcome a fighting Keystone Basketball Academy in the 6th Samuel Vasanth Kumar Memorial Basketball Tournament.
In a see-saw match which till the last sixth minute was anyone’s game but Victory Playground broke away at the final stretch to pull off a 70-59 win over their rivals. The Victory Playground hoopsters had their noses ahead at the half-time with a 30-28 scoreline.
Victory Playground started well with Balu and Vamshi netting seven quick points without allowing Keystone to score any point. However, Keystone recovered through Chandu’s 3-pointer to bridge the gap 11 – 13 at the end of the 1st quarter.
In the second quarter too, both sides found bitterly for supremacy with Victory Playground, somehow, managing to stay ahead of their rivals. The teams did not give any ground for the other to score freely. At half-time, Victory Playground just about managed to take 30-28 lead.
After change of ends, Dhruv & Krishay scored a 3-pointer apiece to level the scores 38-38. Srini and Mohan’s 3-pointers aided Victory PG to end the 3rd quarter with a four-point lead. They were 48-44 in the lead.
In the last quarter, Karan scored consecutive eight points to push Keystone in front of their rivals at 52-51. At this point of time, there was only six minutes left on the clock. Sensing danger, Victory Playground tightened their defense with close man-to-man marking and, thereby, denied Keystone room to score baskets.
Balu of Victory Playground attempts a basket during their game against Keystone BA at the 6th Samuel Vasanth Kumar Memorial Basketball Tournament at YMCA Secunderabad on Friday evening. Pics: Mohd Hadi
A decisive 3-pointer from Balu alongside quick under baskets from Vamshi and Shloke helped Victory Playground to breathe a sigh of relief as they won the game 70-59.
In the late-night match on Thursday, Victory Playground had breezed past Rahimpura Playground 56-22 after leading 26-10 at half-time. Srini scored 12 and Shloke got 11 points for Victory Playground.
The tournament is being conducted by Sports Writers Association of Telangana (SWAT) under the aegis of The Hyderabad District Basketball Association at YMCA Secunderabad.
Results: Victory Playground 70 (Balu 21, Shloke 18, Vamshi 11, Mohan 10) beat Keystone Basketball Academy 59 (Chandu 17, Krishay 15, Karan 11, Dhruv 9). Half-time: 30-28.
Thursday night match: Victory Playground 56 (Srini 12, Sholke 11, Vamshi 9, Yash 8) beat Rahimpura Playground 22 (Rohit 6, Ashwin 4, Ravi 4). Half-time: 26-10.