TAIYUAN, China, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Four teams from Guangdong province made it to the semifinals of three men's basketball tournaments at the second China Youth Games here on Wednesday, showing their dominance in one of the most popular sports in the country.
In the Under-16 men's clubs tournament, Shenzhen Leopard defeated Changchun No.104 Middle School 107-69, entering the last four as winners of Group A. Changchun also secured semis ticket as runners-up.
In Group B, Zhejiang Chouzhou kept their winning run intact in five games. Yu Jiahao, 2.18m, pocketed 14 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists, helping Zhejiang beat Henan 83-71 in their last group match.
"Everyone of my boys has tried his best during the tournament, and we have achieved our goal," said Yu Leping, Zhejiang's head coach.
"We will be better in semifinals," the 49-year-old former local star added.
The Under-18 men's clubs tournament saw youth teams of four Chinese Basketball Association league (CBA) sides Shanghai Sharks, Shanxi Guotou Loongs, Shenzhen Leopard and Guangdong Southeast Tigers secure their positions in the knockout stage.
In the Under-16 men's sports schools tournament, young cagers of Jinan, Guangdong, Shanghai and Nantong will compete for the event's gold in the next two days.
Semifinal winners in the Under-16 women's sports schools event, Sichuan and Qingdao will try to stand atop of the podium on Thursday.
In the first China Youth Games, Guangzhou women's team and Shenzhen men's team grabbed two basketball golds for Guangdong province.
The second Youth Games will officially open here on Thursday night.
