Hwa Bong-joong, the reigning champion, meets Sam Sun-joong in the final.
On his home court, Ulsan’s Hwa Bong-joong came from behind to win 66-63 in the first game of the boys’ U16 semi-finals at the 52nd National Youth Games at the Ulsan University Gymnasium in Ulsan, South Korea, on 29 November.
Song Min-woo (175cm, G) led the way with 28 points and nine rebounds, including three three-pointers, while Park Joo-an (185cm, G) chipped in with five three-pointers.메이저놀이터
After the first quarter, the two teams were locked in a tightly contested battle.
However, in the second quarter, Ho Kye Joong gradually built up a lead with the help of Kim Min Joon (185cm, F) and Heo Gun Woo (189cm, G).
The motivated Ho Kye-joong did not let up on the offence in the second half. He scored 10 points from under the basket and grabbed rebound after rebound to solidify the victory.
However, a crisis soon followed. Cheon Ki-young (175cm, G) fouled out against Hwa Bong-joong’s guard.
Ho Kye Joong tried to protect the lead by bringing in Baek Ji-hoon (192cm, C.F) to add height, but their perimeter defence faltered and they began to give up three-pointers in quick succession.
The three-pointers helped Hwa Bongjoong close the gap, and with 2:21 left in the game, Song Min-woo got a lightning steal followed by a layup and a free throw to pull within 62-61.
Ho Kye-joong then made a free throw to tie the game again, but with 18.4 seconds left, Hwa Bong-joong Park Joo-an hit a three-pointer to seal the deal.
In the next game, favourites Samsunjung of Seoul defeated Incheon’s Songdojung by a wide margin, 90-55, as brothers Yoon Ji-won (190cm, G0) and Yoon Ji-hoon (185cm, G) combined for 47 points.
In the girls’ U16 semi-final at the Ulsan National University of Science and Technology Gymnasium, ace Im Yeon-seo (170cm, G) exploded for 36 points to lead the attack as Gwangju’s Supia Girls’ High School defeated Gyeongnam’s Masan Girls’ High School 82-65 to advance to the final.
Lim Yeon-seo of Supia Girls’ High School not only scored, but also showed her ability to run the game steadily, giving her team the win with a perfect performance.
In the second semi-final, Busan’s Dongju Women’s High School scored early and often to defeat Seoul’s Sunil Women’s High School 71-55 to advance to the final, where they will play Supia Women’s High School for the gold medal.