The recently-concluded State junior (under-18) basketball championship has brought to light some great upcoming talent. Sanjana Ramesh, who represented women's champion side Beagles basketball club, is one such example. The girl from Sri Kumarans Childrens Home (CBSE), 16, is a star player. Sanjana, who has played the sport since her fifth standard, has represented Karnataka in the under-13, under-16, and under-18 national championships.
In this tournament, she averaged 12.4 points per game (in five matches), with her best show coming against Mounts Club, where she scored 17 points. In her opinion, the team was able to put up a unified effort, as a result of which it went all the way. On her training schedule, Sanjana says she attends practice sessions in the morning, where she is given fitness training and match-practice. In the evening, she works on strengthening her muscles and practices her shooting. The state camp, which she is a part of, helps to improve her game as well. Sanjana says that her strengths lie in her ability to make fast breaks, play defence and hustle plays. Her good speed and stamina help her to achieve the same. However, she feels she has to improve her shot conversion. Her role model is Golden State Warriors power forward Kevin Durant, and she hopes to emulate his good game-sense. Sanjana also credits her teammates and coaches for constantly pushing her to realise her full potential.
Beagles coach J.E. Mohan Kumar stresses on the fact that she is a versatile player. According to him, tall players generally do not have much flexibility and agility, but Sanjana possesses these qualities. “She has really played well as a passer, as a shooter, in defence, and as an under-board player,” comments Mohan. Sanjana hopes to represent the country in the future.
Pratyanshu Tomar is another budding basketball talent in the State. The 6’ 6” centre from Kendriya Vidyalaya (Hebbal) plays for YMMA, which took the men’s title. He says that it was the combined team effort that enabled them to win the tournament. The 17-year-old has been playing the sport since his eighth standard, and says that he was inspired to take up the sport by his father, an Air Force hoopster. Pratyanshu has represented the state twice in the under-16 national championships, and captained the state under-16 team last year.
Although touted as one of the best junior Karnataka players, Pratyanshu feels that he needs to improve in his post plays and in faking his marker. However, he is good at shooting, and puts his height and reach to good use by getting many blocks, rebounds and finishing under-board. On his training routine, he says that he trains along with the club team, which practices mostly in the evenings (at KV, Hebbal). Under the mentorship of their coach Sashinder Hoggi, they do both fitness training as well as game-practice. He says that his coach has had a big influence in shaping his talent, as Hoggi would correct his mistakes “then and there”.
In the State junior championship, Pratyanshu was able to put up good performances in crucial matches, He averaged 9.16 points per game (in six matches), and recorded a personal high of 16 points in the final against Devanga Union.
Pratyanshu dreams to become a better player and represent the country in international tournaments at the senior level.
