Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam retain senior state basketball titles

Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam retained the women's and men's titles respectively of the 68th senior state basketball championship at the Regional Sports Centre in Kochi on Sunday.

In the women's final, Thiruvananthapuram edged Palakkad 50-43 with Aneesha Cleetus top scoring with 12 points. Thiruvananthapuram were denied a double as their men's side lost to holders Ernakulam, 65-70. Sejin Mathew hit a game-high 26 for Thiruvananthapuram and Antony Johnson made 23 for Ernakulam.

Kottayam claimed bronze in both categories with 63-57 (women) win over Alappuzha and 67-52 (men) against Thrissur. Jinu Devasia and Irin Elsa John, both representing Kottayam district, were awarded the Bobit Mathew memorial award for Most Promising Players.

Aneesha of Thiruvananthapuram, who works for the KSEB and Shiras Muhammed of Ernakulam secured the PS Viswappan Gold Medal. Aneesha was also adjudged the women's MVP while Antony Johnson, a member of the Kerala Police side, was announced as the men's MVP.  

Results (Final)
Women: Thiruvananthapuram 50 (Aneesha Cleetus 12, Sreekala R 10) bt Palakkad 43
Men: Ernakulam 70 (Antony Johnson 23, Shiras Muhammed 15) bt Thiruvananthapuram 65 (Sejin Mathew 26, Nandu A Kumar 15, Grigo Mathew 11)