Rajasthan U16 Basketball: Jaisalmer Academy and Jhunjhunu finish on top
The 40th Youth Rajasthan State Basketball Championship wrapped up successfully at the BS Ranawat Stadium in Bhilwara from February 24 to 26, 2025
27 February, Bhilwara, Rajasthan: The 40th Youth Rajasthan State Basketball Championship wrapped up successfully at the BS Ranawat Stadium in Bhilwara from February 24 to 26, 2025. Organized by the District Basketball Association (DBA) Bhilwara, under the leadership of President Mr. Ajay Bhandari and Secretary Mr. Payerlal Khoiwal, the tournament saw participation from 19 boys' teams and 17 girls' teams from across the state.
The three-day championship witnessed young (U16) basketball players across Rajasthan showcase their skills and determination on the court. Teams played each other in a knockout-style tournament, with the top contenders making it to the final rounds.
Match Results:
The boys and girls sections were divided in two groups each, with the top two teams from each group battling it out for the gold medal.
The championship featured several gripping matches, with notable performances across both the boys' and girls' sections.
In the boys' category, Jhunjhunu dominated Alwar with a 58-10 victory; Gangangar secured a commanding 62-20 win over Bikaner; Jaipur beat Rajsmand 20-0; Jodhpur beat Hanumangarh 56-03; Bhilwara defeated Jaisalmer 70-43; Barmer beat Udaipur 50-30; Chittorgarh beat Ajmer 45-43; Jhunjhunu beat Jalore 55-33; Jaisalmer Acd beat Chittorgarh 64-14. Sikar beat Jaipur 62-29; Jodhpur beat Bhilwara 90-50.
In the girls' section, Bikaner dominated Alwar 20-0; Ganganagar beat Churu 48-12; Jaipur Acd beat Jodhpur 34-12; Ajmer beat Naguar 38-22; Sikar beat Chittorgarh 29-14; Jaipur beat Rajsmand 20-0; Udaipur beat Pali 31-27. Udaipur beat Ajmer 24-12; Bhilwara beat Sikar 54-21; Bikaner beat Jaipur Acd 63-34; Jhunjhunu beat Jaipur 45-35.
The Finals
In the boys' final, Jaisalmer Academy and Sikar faced off in a thrilling showdown. Jaisalmer Academy came out strong, taking control early with a 33-21 lead in the first quarter and extending it to 45-33 by halftime. However, Sikar wasn’t ready to back down. They mounted an impressive comeback in the second half, cutting the deficit to just six points at the end of the third quarter.
As the fourth quarter kicked off, the intensity reached its peak. Sikar grabbed the lead with two minutes left on the clock, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish. But Jaisalmer Academy dug deep and snatched back the lead in the final moments, clinching a hard-fought 74-72 victory and securing the championship.
The girls' final between Jhunjhunu and Bikaner was another close contest that kept local fans on the edge of their seats. Bikaner started strong, edging out a 12-9 lead in the first quarter. They carried that momentum into the second, scoring back-to-back baskets and sinking a crucial free throw.
Just as it seemed like Bikaner would again dominate the quarter, Jhunjhunu staged a comeback and seized a 25-23 lead at halftime. The third quarter saw an intense battle, with both teams trading baskets in a back-and-forth exchange. The final 10 minutes of the game were a display of determination from both sides. With both teams fighting relentlessly, refusing to back down, Jhunjhunu sealed a dramatic 64-62 victory in the final minute to become champions.
Final Standings:
Boys' Category:
Winner: Jaisalmer Academy
Runner-up: Sikar
Second Runner-up: Jodhpur
Girls' Category:
Winner: Jhunjhunu
Runner-up: Bikaner
Second Runner-up: Bhilwara
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