Date:05/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/05/stories/2007050505261800.htm

Sport - Basketball

Malappuram boys and Kottayam girls triumph

NILESHWARAM : Malappuram boys and Kottayam girls won the titles in the 31st Junior State basketball championships at the Rajas HS floodlit courts here on Friday.

Malappuram, represented by the G.V. Raja Sports School wards, came back from behind to end the dream run of Wayanad, neating it 79-69 after trailing 30-32 at half-time. Wayanad took a 15-point lead at the end of the first quarter but found going tough once the in form players Amal James, Shijoy Thomas and Anandu Krishnan found their touch. The duo did the bulk of scoring to carry their side to a fine win.

K.S. Anu did the star turn for Kottayam by scoring the wining basket in the dying seconds of the match to squeeze out a 47-45 win over Kollam. The match seemed destined to go into extra time when Kollam equalised with nine seconds left. But Anu's experience made the difference for her side which trailed 21-23 at half-time.

The results (finals): Boys: Malappuram 79 (Amal James 29, Shijoy Thomas 20, Anandu Krishnan 20) bt Wayanad 69 (Ashin Xavier 25, Johnny Cherian 17). Girls: Kottayam 47 (K.S.Anu 16, Ashey Mathew 12) bt Kollam 45 (P.Ligimol 18).