New Delhi: The inaugural Indian School and College Basketball League culminated today at the Thyagraj Stadium in Delhi, with girls from Ludhiana and boys from Chennai emerging victorious. Both these cities have dominated throughout the tournament and continued their fine run in the finals today.

In the boys’ school final Vellamal School, Chennai defeated Modern School, Delhi in a closely contested match to become champions. Delhi led by 3 points as they entered the fourth quarter but a strong comeback by Chennai saw them win the fourth quarter 25-19 and the match 89-86.

Sathyabhama Engineering College, Chennai was crowned champions in the men’s college final as they got the better of Kirorimal College, Delhi in tightly contested match. Boys from Chennai got off to a brilliant start taking an 18 points lead at the end of the first quarter. However, the Delhi boys showed remarkable composure to come back and win the next two quarters. The final quarter was an enthralling contest between the two sides vying for the national title, with boys from Chennai emerging victorious. They won the match 77-71.

In the girls’ school final Government School for Girls, Ludhiana beat Santhome School, Chennai 92-80. The game started out with Chennai racing to an early lead, easily beating Ludhiana’s full court press with effective rotation and ball handling. But Ludhiana made a run late in the first quarter to secure a 3-point lead with scores at 23-20. Second quarters have consistently been Ludhiana’s strongest quarter and today was no different. Their full court press kicked into gear and even though Chennai did a good job of avoiding too many turnovers, they were still forced into playing at a fast pace which they clearly were not comfortable at playing. This resulted in Chennai taking rushed and ill-advised shots and Ludhiana capitalized by throwing crisp outlet passes for easy fastbreak opportunities. This momentum catapulted Ludhiana through the third quarter leading throughout with double digits. Chennai kept it close but ran out of steam in the fourth quarter succumbing to a 12-point loss.

In the women’s College finals Government College for Girls, Ludhiana beat Rajasthan College, Jaipur 65-40 to become .champions. Ludhiana raced to a 17-3 lead in the first quarter and won the next quarter comfortably. Jaipur girls did try to make a comeback and won the third quarter 18-17, but it was too little too late for them, as Ludhiana won the final quarter and the match in an emphatic manner. Nirmal Kaur from Ludhiana ended the match with a game-high 26 points.