Queen Mary Higher Secondary School sweep inaugural inter-school basketball tournament in Mokokchung

MOKOKCHUNG — Queen Mary Higher Secondary School (QMHSS) clinched both the boys’ and girls’ championship titles in the first Inter High School and Higher Secondary School Annual Basketball Tournament in the grand finale at the BAMD Basketball Court, Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung, on July 12.

In the boys’ final, QMHSS outplayed Mayangnokcha Government Higher Secondary School (MGHSS) with a 59-29 victory.

Both teams were neck and neck until the second quarter; however, when MGHSS’s point guard was fouled out in the middle of the third quarter, the team’s momentum was disrupted.

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QMHSS capitalised on this shift, dominating both offensively and defensively to widen the score gap. QMHSS’s defence proved too strong for MGHSS’s offensive efforts, securing the title in a decisive performance through the third and fourth quarters.

The girls’ final saw QMHSS overpower Eden Academy 15-5. QMHSS maintained a clean sweep of points throughout the third quarter.

Despite a spirited comeback by Eden in the fourth quarter, scoring five points, QMHSS’s players held firm to claim the championship. The home-court advantage at QMHSS’s campus facilitated their smooth journey to both finals.

Both teams received the running trophies, cash prizes, and certificates, while runners-up MGHSS (boys) and Eden Academy (girls) were honoured with cash awards and certificates.

In individual prizes, Odao Amri (QMHSS) earned Boys’ Most Valuable Player, Imkongakum (Eden Academy) was named Boys’ Most Promising Player, Tasenyangla Longchar (QMHSS) secured Girls’ Most Valuable Player, and Narosen Lusang (Eden Academy) was recognised as Girls’ Most Promising Player.

The closing ceremony was attended by a representative from Assam Rifles, Mokokchung, as the special guest.

Meanwhile, committed to reviving basketball in the district, BAMD announced the selection of 24 boys and 14 girls from various schools for a skill development coaching camp under its scouting programme.