Group B winners in the Boys category of this year’s Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship, Ilupeju Grammar School, Ilupeju, Lagos State will battle St. Peters College, Idah, Kogi State in the first semifinal match while St. Augustine’s Seminary, Ezzanugbo, Ebonyi State with some difficulties in qualifying for the semifinal will take on Government Boys Secondary School Barnawa, Kaduna State in the second semifinal match.
To reach this stage of the championship, Lagos State representatives thrashed Ebonyi and Benue States flag bearers to record two clear victories.
On the semifinal tie, Coach Rizzama Shenini of St. Peters College Idah said he is aware of the crowd support for the Lagos team especially with the presence of their point guard, Anthony Gospel.
‘’My boys are aware of the challenges as regards crowd support and we need to stay focused without losing concentration. We have a good chance’’.
Coach Yinka Oyeyemi of Ilupeju Grammar School confirmed that his team did not struggle to qualify like others.
‘’I have a good team. We have been working on some of the errors observed in our last two games. Our shooting has been perfect, our marking is okay. My boys are set to play in the final’’.
Coach of St. Augustine’s Seminary, Ezzanugbo, Ebonyi State, Rev. Fr. Donatus Ofuluozor said he is aware his team is the target as the defending champions. ‘’We are being very cautions. Everybody wants to get something from my team. We work as a team at each other’s disposal. I can see my boys in the final by the special grace of God’’.
Coach James Jatau of Government Secondary School, Baranawa said he has watched his opponents and he is sure of victory.
‘’They are tactically good but I know they easily lose concentration. We are ready for them to battle for the final ticket,” he said.
However, St. Josephs College Benue and General Muritala Mohammed College Yola Adamawa State are to play for classification.
