Bayelsa, Niger retain Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship titles

Thunder struck at the same spot again yesterday at the National Stadium, Lagos when defending champions, Father O’Connell Science College, Minna, Niger State and St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Bayelsa State won the 20th Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship male and female titles. Both teams won the same title last year at the same venue, but yesterday’s triumphs were more exciting as the teams faced determined opponents.

In the male category, Father O’ Connell Science College defeated Gen. Murtala Muhammed College Yola, Adamawa State by just one point, 60 points to 59, to retain its position as the best basketball playing secondary school in Nigeria. St. Augustine’s Seminary Ezzamgbo, Ebonyi State took the third place.

In the female category, St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata defeated Yejide Girls Grammar School, Ibadan, Oyo State by 47 to 21 points to secure first place, while Government Secondary School Gboko, Benue State third position.The winners went home with the sum of N150, 000 each, silver medallists got N120, 000, while the third placed teams got N100, 000 along with other branded gifts.

Speaking with The Guardian, the Bayelsa State Coordinator of Secondary School Sports, Godwin Adagbo expressed his joy that the team won the trophy back-to-back.“This is the fifth time we are winning the championship and all glory to God for it was not easy,” he said.

Also speaking on the competition, Father O’Connell’s Coach, Emmanuel Biodun Tanko said his boys were focused and dedicated, adding, “we worked hard to be where we are today. Even when our opponents pushed us, we believed in ourselves and at the end, our hard work paid off.”