Team Herald
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NAVELIM: Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda, and Sonics emerged champions in the junior boys and girls category respectively at the State Junior Basketball Championships 2025 organised by the Panjim Basketeers Club in association with Goa Basketball Association at the Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium, Navelim, recently.
In the junior boys final, DBO Fatorda delivered a dominant all-round performance to defeat Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim, 56-36. DBO Fatorda took early control and led throughout the game with quarter-wise scores reading Q1: 13-6; Q2: 30-16; Q3: 47-24 and Q4 (final): 56-36. Kayden D'Silva top-scored for the winners with 16 points, while Sean Fernandes added 10, David Xavier 9 and Jude Fernandes 8 points. For DBO Panjim, Avner Mendonca fought hard with 14 points, while Akshansh Jagetya contributed 7.
Kayden D’Silva was adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the final.
In the junior girls final, Sonics powered their way past DBO Fatorda with a convincing 38-21 victory.
Sonics dominated the first half and never looked back, with the quarter-wise breakdown reading Q1: 10-3; Q2: 23-5; Q3: 27-15 and Q4 (final): 38-21. Kim D’Souza was the star for Sonics with 17 points, while Trisha D’Souza supported ably with 8 points. Aandra Gracias (8 points) and Sarah Albuquerque (5 points) were the main contributors for DBO Fatorda. Kim D’Souza was named the MVP of the final.
On the occasion, Pratima Dhond, a former national basketball player, was felicitated in recognition of her illustrious achievements in sports and public life, including being the first lady president of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Jeshua Pinto was also felicitated for his exceptional achievement of being selected to represent the Indian basketball team at the FISU World University Games in Germany, becoming the first Goan basketballer to do so.