Chhattisgarh, Delhi boys and girls in semis

Ludhiana, June 1 (UNI) Defending champions Chhattisgarh, hosts Punjab and Delhi moved into the girls' semi-finals of the 57th Dhanoa Junior National Basketball Championship here today.

Holders Chhattisgarh along with Delhi and Uttar Pradesh also qualified for the boys' semi-finals.

The Punjab girls got the semi-final berth at the expense of Tamil Nadu whom they beat by a clear-cut 89-57 margin after leading 47-29 at half time. Kiranjeet (44), Harvinder (10) and Manda (10) fashioned Punjab's triumph as they sank baskets at regular intervals. For Tamil Nadu, Sanghitha (16) and Kikila (14) were the principal scorers.

Punjab will now meet Chattisgarh in the semi-final tomorrow.

Delhi became the first team to qualify for the girls semi-final after snuffing out the challenge from a weak Chandigarh team by 70-32.

At halt time, Delhi led 54-14. It virtually became a cake-walk for Delhi in the second quarter in which they pumped in 30 points in reply to just four by Chandigarh who had the consolation of winning the third (10-9) and fourth (8-7) quarters as Delhi rested their main players.

Delhi boys prevailed over a spirited Haryana by 92-84 in the third quarter-final match. In a ding-dong battle Delhi had a slender lead of one point (47-46) at half time. Humayun and Sarwan made the difference by scoring 23 and 16 runs for Delhi. Joginder topscored for Haryana with 25 points. Delhi's next opponent in the semi-final will be Chhattisgarh, who defeated Tamil Nadu 112-62.

The Chhattisgarh boys scored from all angles and their attack was spearheaded by S T Murli and Kiranpal. Kiranpal sank 27 points with included six three pointers. Murli topscored with 34 points.

Kiranpal and Murli kept the scoreboard ticking on a fast pace and the Chattisgarh duo kept the Tamil Nadu boys on their toes throughout the match. Murli with his deft passing and drive-in gave TN a harrowing time. Pratham and T R S Rao contributed 19 and 14 points, respectively.

Prem (12), Rama (11) and Nataraj (11) were the main scorers for the losers.

The Chhattisgarh girls also held the spotlight as they carried too many guns against Madhya Pradesh whom they routed by 103-46 points after leading 46-28 at half time.

Consistent scorers for Chattisgarh Pushpa (33) and Kanwaljeet (20) never allowed Madhya Pradesh girls to settle down as they scored at will. Akansha made 11 points. For the losers, Prerna (19) and Ritu (9) put up some fight to reduce the margin.

Resutls (Q-finals) Boys: Delhi (Humayun 23, Sarwan 16, Shiva 12) bt Haryana (Vikas 17, Joginder 25, Sumeet 8) by 92-84. HT 47-46.

Uttar Pradesh (Vishesh 24, Arjun 20, Apnesh 18, Sokendra 14) bt Madhya Pradesh (Nitin 20, Shishir 19, Prafful 15) by 103-72. HT 41-39 Chattisgarh (Murli 34, Kiranpal 27, Pratham 19, TRS Rao 14) bt Tamil Nadu (Rama 11, Prem 12, Nataraj 11, Praveen 10, Anbu 10) by 112-62. Halt time: 49-20.

Girls: Punjab (Kiranjeet 44, Harvinder 10, Manda 10) bt Tamil Nadu (Kikila 14, Sangitha 16, Amutha 9) by 89-57. HT 47-29.

Delhi (Akansha 19, Rashpreet 19, Shamin 10) bt Chandigarh (Sonika 8, Pinki 6, Sweety 4) by 70-32. HT 70-32. HT 54-14.

Girls: Chattisgarh (Pushpa 33, Kanwaljeet 20, Akansha 11) bt Madhya Pradesh (Prerna 19, Ritu 9) by 103-46. HT 46-28.

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