Charminar Chargers and Gladiators storm into basketball finals

Charminar Chargers Girls and Golconda Gladiators advanced to the finals of the Hyderabad District Basketball Championship with convincing victories in the sub-junior eliminators. Charminar beat Secunderabad Stallions 38-24, while Gladiators defeated Birla Blazers 67-42

Hyderabad: Charminar Chargers Girls booked a berth in the final against Birla Blazers, which had already qualified as the top team in the league phase, with a convincing 38-24 win over Secunderabad Stallions. In the boys section, Golconda Gladiators will meet Secunderabad Stallions, which had already qualified as the top team in the league phase, after trouncing Birla Blazers 67-42 in the Hyderabad District Basketball Championship at YMCA, Secunderabad, here on Tuesday.

In the sub-junior girls’ eliminator, Charminar Chargers led 16-6 at half-time.

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After the change of ends, Charminar Chargers regrouped and played a fast-paced game. Saanvika, with good support from Anika and Viya, scored 17 points while restricting Secunderabad Stallions to just four points, taking a 23-16 lead at the end of the third quarter. In the last quarter, Charminar Chargers dominated, adding another 15 points to their tally to win the match comfortably 38-24.

In the sub-junior boys’ eliminator, Rishon and Trishul played well for Birla Blazers, while Manideep and Moksha starred for the Gladiators.

Aided by two three-pointers, one each from Mohd Rahman and Manideep, the Gladiators led 21-15 at the end of the first quarter.

Gladiators led 29-22 at half-time.

After the lemon break, both teams tightened their defence, but Manideep’s three-pointer and drive-in shot helped the Gladiators extend their lead. They added 11 points to their tally against five points scored by the Blazers to lead 40-27 at the end of the third quarter.

In the last quarter, Blazers tried hard to stage a comeback through Rishon and Trishul, who played in tandem. However, Manideep, Ansh and Itihas were unstoppable, scoring at will and adding another 27 points to help the Gladiators register a comfortable 67-42 win.