Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Don Bosco Oratory Panjim produced a commanding performance to defeat defending champions Don Bosco Sports Academy Fatorda and secure the State Junior Basketball Championships 2026 title. The final, held at the Don Bosco College of Engineering outdoor court in Fatorda, served as the selection tournament for the upcoming 76th Junior National Basketball Championship.
Panjim set the pace early, establishing a 15 to 6 lead at the end of the first quarter. Their disciplined approach and sharp execution allowed them to extend the advantage to 22 to 14 by halftime, keeping Fatorda under pressure. However, the defending champions responded strongly after the break, mounting an impressive comeback in the third quarter to level the scores at 31 all and revive the contest.
With the game finely balanced, Panjim stepped up in the final quarter with a dominant display. They restricted Fatorda to just two points while adding eleven of their own, sealing a convincing 42 to 33 victory and securing the championship.
Ryan Prabhudesai led the scoring for the winners with 15 points and was named the Most Valuable Player of the final. Avner Mendonca added 14 points and earned the tournament MVP award for his consistent performances. For Fatorda, Aaron Ponraj contributed 12 points, while Jude Fernandes chipped in with 8.
The semifinals also featured competitive matchups. Fatorda defeated NCS 55 to 43, while Panjim edged past Sonics in a closely fought 42 to 40 encounter. Earlier, the quarterfinals saw dominant and narrow wins alike, with Panjim, Fatorda, Sonics, and NCS advancing after strong performances.
The tournament concluded with Panjim emerging as deserving champions and provided a platform to identify top talent for the national championship scheduled to be held in Pondicherry.
