the goan I network
PANAJI
It was an all South Goa Women's and North Goa Men's affair at the State Basketball Championship Finals held at Don Bosco Fatorda outdoor basketball court with 16 men and 5 women teams in
the fray.
In the women's final, it was a one sided affair for the experienced Infinite to belittle Fatima Convent 34-17. The comparatively younger Fatima side played tough with Amisha Lotlikar (9) and Michelle de Noronha (2) trying their might to contain the Infinite score. But Rachel Raposa (16), Gayle Gomes (5) and Rose Rhea (4) were too strong to overpower.
In the Men's final, YMCA Knights and Sonics played out a close tussle till the very end with Sonics taking the title 48-51. It was a Sonics affair from the word go with Shawn Aranjo scoring in the first 7 seconds of the match and keeping the pace till the end of the first quarter with an 8 point lead.
YMCA took charge in the second quarter by taking a 2 point lead at half time. The last quarter was a treat to watch as both teams were tied at 42 each with one minute on the clock. It was anyone's game as both teams edged each other with every second ticking. With two players shown the bench with 5 personal fouls, Sonics took a point lead with 15 seconds to go. The clincher came from Shawn Aranjo (19) followed by quick shots by Dekence Gavali (8) and Johann Braganca that gave Sonics the much deserved State Basketball Championship title. Vassily Mascarenhas (9) added the spirit to Sonics while Flobert (17) Kiran (7) and Dillano (6) played tough for YMCA Knights.
Rachel Raposa and Shawn Aranjo were adjudged the Most Valuable players for the Women's and Men's Category respectively. Rector of Don Bosco Fatorda, Fr. Paul D'Souza was the chief guest and gave away the prizes along with Girish Lotlikar, Fr. Kinley D'Cruz, Sydney Furtado, Luis Gomes, Royston Costa, Shane Dias (Treasurer), Fr. Ralin De Souza (secretary) among many other GBA officials.
