The dynamic energy and competitiveness of the under-16 basketball tournament hosted by the Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA) at the bustling courts of Rajhans Vidyalaya in Andheri was nothing short of exhilarating. Thursday witnessed the crowning of champions in both the girls and boys U-16 categories, with St Anthony’s School of Chembur and Don Bosco School of Matunga clinching their respective titles amidst palpable excitement and anticipation.
The girls’ final was a thrilling contest that captivated spectators with a display of skill and strategy. St Anthony’s School emerged triumphant over Auxilium Convent of Wadala with a decisive score of 29-20. At the heart of St Anthony’s victory was the outstanding performance of Sharanya Sawant. She proved instrumental in steering her team to victory, contributing a substantial 14 points and showcasing her prowess on the court. Her relentless drive and precision were complemented by teammate Ruchi Sawant, who supported with an additional six points. The collaborative efforts of Jeel Jain with four points, Shruti Padhi with three points, and Vanya Shetty with two points rounded out the scoring contributions, underscoring the depth of talent that St Anthony’s brought to the floor.
In a commendable effort, Ajitha Nadar stood out as the leading scorer for Auxilium Convent, amassing 10 points and demonstrating resilience and talent. Despite her valiant efforts, Auxilium Convent fell short, but the team’s performance was nothing less than admirable.
The boys’ final, on the other hand, saw an impressive display of dominance by Don Bosco, as they overpowered St Joseph’s from Wadala with a 26-16 victory. Don Bosco’s boys took command of the game right from the onset, with an aggressive start that saw them scoring 11 points in the first quarter and another four in the second, heading into half-time with a formidable 15-0 lead. Their strategy, execution, and teamwork were impeccable, casting a shadow over their opponents for much of the match.
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Leading the charge for Don Bosco was Yadnesh Sarvade, who delivered a stellar performance by scoring 12 points. He was well-supported by Aradhya More, who added seven points to the scoreboard, with contributions from Shivam Yadav, Sayan Bera, and Daksh Thappar rounding off the team’s success with four, two, and one point respectively. The team synergy and coordination were markedly visible as Don Bosco maintained their edge throughout the game.
On the other side, Owais Chaudhary and PS Samedran worked hard to keep St Joseph’s in the game, each scoring eight points. However, the early lead established by Don Bosco proved insurmountable, and the boys from Wadala had to settle for the runner-up position.
In the matches determining third place, the competition was equally intense and engaging. Among the girls, Fatima High School from Vidya Vihar narrowly defeated Bombay Scottish from Mahim with a nail-biting 22-20 win, showcasing grit and determination. Meanwhile, in the boys’ category, Bombay Scottish from Mahim claimed third place by overcoming Cathedral and John Connon from Fort with a score of 26-22, demonstrating their ability to rebound and finish strong.
The tournament at Rajhans Vidyalaya extended beyond mere contests; it was a celebration of young talent, sportsmanship, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in youth sports. Both St Anthony’s and Don Bosco’s victories not only highlighted their advanced training regimes and tactical prowess but also reflected the encouragement and opportunities that inter-school events provide for nurturing future sports stars. The event concluded with spirited applause and the promise of a brighter, more competitive era in school basketball. As champions celebrated and participants prepared for their next challenges, the day stood as a testament to the passion and dedication that underpin school sports.
