Rivers, Benue schools emerge champions at 26th MILO Basketball Championship

King Amakree Academy of Obuama, Rivers State, and Government Secondary School (GSS), Gboko, Benue State, emerged champions of the boys’ and girls’ categories, respectively, as the 26th Nestlé MILO Secondary Schools Basketball Championship concluded at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on Thursday.

While GSS Gboko cruised to a dominant 68-36 victory over St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Bayelsa State, in the girls’ final, the boys’ title was decided in one of the most dramatic finishes in the tournament’s history. King Amakree Academy staged a remarkable comeback to edge defending champions Father O’Connell Science College, Minna, 56-54.

The championship, which brought together the country’s top secondary school teams after months of regional qualifiers, once again highlighted Nestlé MILO’s long-standing commitment to grassroots basketball and youth development in Nigeria.

King Amakree produce stunning comeback

The boys’ final lived up to its billing from the opening tip-off.

King Amakree Academy edged the opening quarter 15-14 before Father O’Connell settled into their rhythm, using disciplined defence, fast-break opportunities and accurate perimeter shooting to overturn the deficit and build a 31-25 halftime lead.

Father O’Connell extended their dominance after the restart, opening an eight-point advantage and closing the third quarter 47-39, seemingly on course to retain their title.

However, the Rivers State side produced a sensational fourth-quarter rally, clawing back the deficit before snatching a thrilling 56-54 victory to lift the national title.

GSS Gboko dominate girls’ final

In the girls’ final, Government Secondary School, Gboko, delivered a commanding performance to defeat seven-time champions St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School 68-36.

The Benue State champions controlled the contest from start to finish, combining disciplined defence, swift transitions and outstanding teamwork to deny their experienced opponents any opportunity to mount a comeback.

Entertainment beyond basketball

The halftime break added colour to the championship, featuring an energetic performance by gospel music group Goshen, alongside callisthenics displays and cultural performances that entertained the packed crowd at the National Stadium.

Champions rewarded

Wassim Elhusseini, Nestlé Nigeria Plc managing director, while presenting the trophies and prize cheques to the winning teams, said the championship has, over the past 26 years, provided thousands of young Nigerians with a platform to develop not only their basketball talents but also values such as discipline, teamwork and resilience.

The winners in both categories received N3 million, basketballs and other sporting equipment, while the runners-up earned N2 million, sports gear and Nestlé MILO gift items.

Third-place finishers were rewarded with N1.5 million, sporting equipment and MILO products.

With another successful edition concluded, attention now turns to the future, as many of the outstanding performers in Lagos are expected to form part of the next generation of Nigerian basketball stars.