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NT Bureau
Chennai, Feb 22:
 

Job done, they have every reason to flash the victory smile: The ones who made it possible are: Geethu Anna Jones, Sunita Sunil, Adhirai, Shyamala, Anusha, Deepa, Subbalakshmi, Mahalakshmi, Sangeetha, Nitya, Vidya and Kokila. Photo : R Krishnamurthy

        Sporting the winning smile was Tamilnadu basketball team skipper Geethu Anna Jones after accomplying the mission. Steering the State team to its maiden triumph in the National Games was a special feeling for the 12-member team and its coach Ramasubramania Raja.

        Tamilnadu Basketball Association had arranged a felicitation function at the JJ Stadium after the garlanding session at the Central Station earlier.

        The feeling was still to sink in for Geethu, the only one from the State to have represented the country. As the pivot, the onus was on her to deliver the goods. She did that in style, basketing an incredible 41 points in the final.

        Coach Raja said he was hopeful of the team putting up a good show after crossing the important hurdle of Chattisgarh in the group match. It is one thing to plan and another thing to execute. Still, it turned out to be a master stroke when part of the long practice sessions confined in giving a 40-point handicap to the sparring teams.

        That twice Tamil Nadu put it across the fancied team from the North was the high point of the triumph, Raja felt. 'Chattisgarh team boasted of nine internationals including the five in the juniors. They were itching to get even in the title fight but our girls had smelled the win long before. Our consistency made the difference.'

        No praise could be too high for the energetic bunch, a heady mix of youth and experience. Not often you find a mother of two (Sunitha Sunil) playing a stellar role in the victory charge.

        The role of Southern Railway's Adhiraj chipping in with her double-digit contribution right through was acknowledged by Raja and Geethu.