State championship: Alappuzha to meet Kozhikode in girls final

Alappuzha staved off a strong third-quarter challenge from Thrissur and entered the girl’s final of the 40th Kerala State youth basketball championship at the Carmel CMI Public School, Vazhakulam, on Tuesday.

Alappuzha led 38-18 at half-time, but Liya Maria, with an impressive show (29 points), led Thrissur’s recovery in the next quarter. Thrissur was just two points behind Alappuzha, at 49-47, at one stage, but the latter bounced back to take the match 80-71.

Meanwhile, defending girls champion Kozhikode breezed past Kollam 86-39 and set up a final clash with Alappuzha.