BNA Junior Basketball League 2022
Nagpur fight back to shoot down Aurangabad Eagles
Mumbai: A resilient Nagpur Blasters came from behind to overcome Aurangabad Eagles 67-63 over extra period in an absorbing junior girl’s Group-B match of the Basketball Network Academy (BNA) organised Junior Basketball League 2022 for the ageasFEDERAL Trophy, and played under lights at the Indian Gymkhana courts, on Wednesday evening. The tournament is being conducted under the auspices of the Maharashtra State Basketball Association & in association with Indian Gymkhana.
The Aurangabad girls after leading 23-21 at the end of the first two quarters extended their lead to 39-31 to go into the final quarter with a healthy 8 points advantage. But, the Nagpur girls seemed to have saved their best for last and dominated the fourth quarter as they scored 24 points while Aurangabad managed 16 points and regulation period finished with the scores tied at 55-all. In extra period Nagpur Blasters continued to call the shots and the deciding period finished 12-8 in their favour, which ensured they snatched a deserving 67-63 verdict.
In another exciting Group-B encounter, Ratnagiri Vipers got the better of Pune Panthers by a fighting 48-47 margin after gaining a slender 26-24 lead at the break. Ratnagiri Vipers found the hoop through shooters Harshali Jadhav with 16 points and Afza Khan and Ishita Sharda both scoring 11 points each. For Pune Panthers the main scorers were Anusha Rao 18 points and Rianne Pereira 15 points.
In the third match of the day, Nashik Lions after facing initial resistance from Thane Cheetahs managed to record a 64-47 win in a Group-A match. The scores were locked 24-24 at the end of the first two quarters. Khushi Bhalekar and Karyaa Pagare both contributed 20 apiece and Arpita Mayekar added 15 points to secure Nashik’s win while Thane scored through Siddhi Dalvi 15 points and Harshi Jain 9 points.
Results: Junior girls – Group-A: Nashik Lions (Khushi Bhalekar 20, Karyaa Pagare 20, Arpita Mayekar 15) beat Thane Cheetahs (Siddhi Dalvi 15, Harshi Jain 9) – 64-47 (half-time: 24-24).
Group-B: Nagpur Blasters (Khushi Solanki 25, Muskaan Ajmani 16, Lavanya Moti 16) beat Aurangabad Eagles (Kashish Patel 18, Yashasvi Rawatani 12) – 67-63 (half-time: 21-23).
Group-B: Ratnagiri Vipers (Harshali Jadhav 16, Afza Khan 11 Points, Ishita Sharda 11) beat Pune Panthers (Anusha Rao 18, Rianne Pereira 15) – 48-47 (half-time: 26-24).
