SPO-KHELO-BASKETBALL

Punjab and Tamil Nadu made it to

three finals each and will be out to claim bragging rights as

the powerhouses of basketball in the ongoing Khelo India Youth

Games here.

Punjab Under-21 lads earned themselves the chance to

avenge a defeat in the group stage by Tamil Nadu in the

under-21 final.

Punjab bounced back in great style to quell Kerala

72-48, while Tamil Nadu handed Maharashtra a 78-57 loss in the

other semifinal, a media release said.

In the girls Under-21 semifinals, Tamil Nadu breezed

past Uttar Pradesh 79-52, while Karnataka took the last final

slot of the day, quashing Kerala hopes with a 79-65 scoreline.

Earlier, in the boys Under-17 semifinals, Arvinder

Singh led Punjab in edging out Kerala 84-81.

Punjab took on Rajasthan, who relatively had it easy

against Haryana 67-56.

In the girl's Under-17 section, Punjab sent hosts

Maharashtra packing 80-73, while Tamil Nadu booked their spot

in the final at the expense of Kerala 70-64.