Lagos- Murtala Muhammed College, Adamawa on Wednesday defeated Ilupeju Grammar School, Lagos, 33-25 in the Boys’ category at the ongoing Nestle Basketball Milo Secondary School Championship in Lagos.
The defeat handed to the Lagos representatives sank their hopes in the championship, having lost to St. Augustine’s Seminary, Ezamgbo, Ebonyi, 38-40 on Tuesday night.
Coach Dosu Mensah of the Lagos team told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that his team failed to play to instructions and said the loss was regrettable.
”It is a sad loss, we thought we could bounce back from the defeat we had in our first game to St Augustine.
”However, I hold no player responsible, but it is the collective fault of the team, we did not get our shots right and failed woefully in our defence.
”A lot of hope was on us to emulate what International School, Akoka, Lagos did, having won the 2013 edition; unfortunately we are out at the preliminary stage,”Mensah said.
Coach Timism Dickson of Adamawa told NAN that his team played well and were obviously the better side to win.
”I am proud of my team, this is their first time in the championship and they lived up to expectation.
”They were fantastic and proved the hard work that we put into training prior to the competition, we hope to continue this way in our next match,” he said.
Meanwhile, the defending champions in the Girls’ category, St Jude Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Bayelsa, continued their good run in the competition by winning their second game.
St Jude Girls defeated Jesus College, Oturkpo, Benue, 24-19 to book their semi-final ticket in the competition, having defeated Westend Mixed Secondary School, Delta, 14-11 in their first group game.
Yejide Girls Grammar School, Ibadan, playing their second group game, also beat Government Secondary School, Adamawa, 34-15 to book their semi-final ticket, having defeated CAC Grammar School, Ondo, 26-18.
Action continues on Thursday, Dec. 4 as the preliminary stage ends with representative of Benue playing Delta, and Adamawa playing Ondo in the Girls’ category.
In the Boys’ category, Edo will play Delta while Adamawa will play Ebonyi.
The 16th edition of the Nestle Milo Basketball Championship is holding at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, with 12 secondary schools competing for honours. (NAN)