New Delhi, January 30: Nagaland etched its name in the record books by registering its best-ever finish at the 5th 3x3 National Basketball Championship, held in Delhi, after topping its group and qualifying for the pre-quarterfinals for the first time in the state’s basketball history.
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| Team Nagaland |
Competing in Group E alongside Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Assam, the Nagaland team showcased discipline, teamwork and composure throughout the league stage. The campaign opened with a commanding 21–11 win over Chhattisgarh, led by Atseizo’s 10-point effort, with Cuwe and Sede contributing six and five points respectively.
Nagaland followed it up with another 21–11 victory against Himachal Pradesh, displaying a balanced offensive performance. Cuwe scored seven points, Sede added eight, Atseizo chipped in with four, and Yeye contributed two. The team then sealed qualification for the knockout stage with a dominant 21–4 win over Jharkhand, where Cuwe emerged as the top scorer with eight points, supported by Atseizo, Sede and Yeye.
Maintaining their momentum, Nagaland defeated Assam 21–11 in their final group match to finish as Group E toppers. Atseizo once again led the scoring with 10 points, while Sede added six.
In the pre-quarterfinals, Nagaland faced a strong Karnataka side. Despite a spirited fight, the team went down 11–17, with Atseizo and Cuwe scoring five points each.
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The historic run marks a major milestone for basketball in Nagaland, as advancing to the knockout stage at a national championship had never been achieved before.
The Nagaland Basketball Association hailed the performance, stating that with sustained support, Nagaland has the potential to emerge as a national model for basketball development.
Reacting to the achievement, Sentiningsang Longkumer, Honorary Secretary of the association, said the breakthrough reflected the courage, discipline and determination of the players. He called for greater support from the government, institutions, private sector and parents to build on the success and transform the milestone into a lasting legacy for the sport in the state.
