HYDERABAD: Keystone Basketball Academy staged a remarkable come from behind win over Secunderabad Club to keep alive their chances of qualifying for Level 1 in the HDBA’s Annual League Basketball Championship.
Keystone finished their engagements with two wins and a solitary loss and stay in contention for a promotion. The youthful Keystone were slow to start off the blocks and surrendered a 10-point lead at the first quarter but reduced it to 4 points (30-34) at the break. Subhash and Rohan made the most of their height while Akaash Vedula and Aayush Arumalla, though found wanting at times, made up with their scheming. Vaishnav impressed with his long-range shooting.
Secunderabad Club team rotated the ball and finding gaps in the defence scored mainly through Shreedutt, Kaushik and Vishnu. With the match appearing to go to overtime, Keystone just about managed to score and bring off a creditable 69-68 win over Secunderabad Club, who lost their second game on the trot.
In other matches, YMCA Secunderabad and Eagles turned out yet another inspiring display on their way to registering their second win in as many matches at the expense of KPHB Basketball Club and G 9 respectively. Airborne Basketball Club, after their earlier loss also, are in contention after their win over HMT.
Gali Samuel and Sriharsha combining well, kept YMCA Secunderabad on course to a victory as they found the hoop with uncanny anticipation even though Saikrishna, Chandu and Akhil were scoring at the other end. Samuel, in particular, was in fine fettle and whenever the KPHB team struck, it was Samuel who ensured YMCA maintained the lead to win 80-67 after leading 42-32 at the breather. Sai Kumar and Rohan chipped in valuable contributions for YMCA while Arvind lent good support in defence for the KPHB side.
Aman Mahmood and Loka Rohit, using all their experience, warded off a stiff challenge from a fighting G 9 for whom southpaw Dinesh Kumar, Sravan and Raja were among the scorers. Trailing 26-31 at the break, G 9 took the lead midway through the 3rd quarter but Aman sinking in 3 pointers at will and Loka scoring from the second attempt through offensive rebounds ensured their side sail through at 74-62.
Airborne and HMT fought tooth and nail in the first half with the former leading 38-37 at the halfway stage before Airborne picked up their shooting in the final quarter for a decisive 81-71 win with Sugun and Tony playing well for the winners while Anurag and Sammy scoring for HMT.
Results: Group C: Eagles 74 (Aman Mahmood 17, Loka Rohit 17) bt G 9 62 (Dinesh Kumar 23, Sravan 13, Raja 11) HT 31-26. Group D: YMCA Secunderabad 80 (Gali Samuel 27, Sriharsha 32, Rohan 11) bt KPHB 67 (Sai Krishna 32, Akhil 16, Chandu 18) HT 42-32. Group E: Keystone Basketball Academy 69 (Subhash 24, Rohan Roy 22, Vaishnav 11, Ayush Arumalla 10) bt Secunderabad Club 68 (Kaushik 21, Shreedutt 18, Vishnu 16) HT 30-34. Group F: Airborne 81 (Sugun 30, Tony 24) bt HMT 71 (Anurag 28, Sammy 28) HT 38-37.
