PG Garodia School (Ghatkopar) entered their maiden MSSA boys' U-11 final, defeating St Joseph's (Wadala) 22-18 at the St Dominic Savio High School courts yesterday.
The Ghatkopar school’s Prateek Neema top scored with 12 points, while Dharam Bhayani added six points. In the first quarter, Garodia held a one point lead (7-6) over St Joseph’s.
The Wadala school then effected a comeback by scoring four points in the second quarter and were leading 10-7 at halftime. However, some timely points by Prateek in the third and fourth quarter helped Garodia win the match 22-18.
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Prateek Neema.
In today’s final, the Ghatkopar outfit will play against defending champions Don Bosco (Matunga) who defeated VIBGYOR High ‘A’ 7-2 in the other semi-final. Pratham Kale scored four points for the Matunga school.
“I am really happy that we have entered the final for the first time. I am a little nervous as we are going to play against Don Bosco tomorrow. I hope we can give our best against them,” said 10-year-old Prateek.
Garodia coach Santosh Dalvi said, “It is a great achievement for the school team as we started playing MSSA basketball tournaments only three years ago.
In today’s match, St Joseph’s were favourite to win the match as they had three good players in their side. Prateek played really well today. He turned the game in our favour.”
Meanwhile, in the girls U-11 semi-final, Divine Child’s Danica Pereira scored 16 points to help the Andheri school enter the final with a 16-8 win over P G Garodia (Ghatkopar).
In the final, they will face VIBGYOR High ‘A’ (Goregaon), who defeated Cathedral and John Connon ‘A’ 13-2 in the other semi-final.