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Pune, January 17: Kerala became the only state to book semi-final berths in all four sections in the basketball event at the Khelo India Youth Games 2019. Punjab and Tamil Nadu locked three slots each, and hosts Maharashtra won spots after the completion of the league matches on Thursday.
On a day of exciting action, Punjab girls shocked Kerala 77-76 in an Under-17 Pool-A encounter and bagged bragging rights as group toppers. Led by Harsimran Kaur (26 points), Punjab won an intense battle which included being tied 33-all at half time. Despite the loss, Kerala also made the last four.
From Pool-B, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra went through, winning their respective matches. Maharashtra handed Karnataka their third loss, winning 73-55, while Tamil Nadu downed Uttar Pradesh 66-38 to finish with three wins.
In the boys Pool-A, Rajasthan steered clear with three wins to top the group and were joined by Punjab and Haryana, with the latter winning 88-65 to top- Pool-B.
The Under-21 boys' section had Kerala put out Uttar Pradesh 60-53 to top Pool-A with an all-win record, while Maharashtra dashed Delhi’s hope with an 89-80 win and finish second. In Pool-B, Tamil Nadu won against Punjab 87-80 and topped in the battle of two frontrunners in fray for the knock out round.
Later, Kerala girls booked the top spot in Pool-B section by virtue of their nerve-wracking 65-57 win over Punjab, which was decided in extra time. Both teams were locked 53-all at full time.
RESULTS
Under-17, Boys:
Pool-A: Rajasthan bt Karnataka 99-53; Madhya Pradesh bt Kerala 67-64
Pool-B: Tamil Nadu bt Maharashtra 112-108; Punjab bt Haryana 88-65
Under-17, Girls
Pool-A: Punjab bt Kerala 77-76; Rajasthan bt Chhattisgarh 64-35;
Pool-B: Maharashtra bt Karnataka 73-55; Tamil Nadu bt Uttar Pradesh 66-38
Under-21, Boys
Pool-A: Maharashtra v Delhi 89-80; Kerala bt Uttar Pradesh 60-53
Pool-B: Rajasthan bt Karnataka 78-60; Tamil Nadu bt Punjab 87-80
Under-21, Girls
Pool-A: Karnataka bt Gujarat 46-23; Tamil Nadu bt Maharashtra 97-66
Pool-B: Kerala bt Punjab 65-57
SEMI FINAL LINE-UP
Under-17, Boys: Rajasthan v Haryana and Kerala v Punjab
Under-17, Girl: Punjab v Maharashtra and Kerala v Tamil Nadu
Under-21, Boys: Kerala v Punjab and Maharashtra v Tamil Nadu
Under-21, Girls: Tamil Nadu v MP/ UP/ Punjab and Karnataka v Kerala
