Government Secondary School, Gwarinpa, advanced to the final of the 2025 Milo Schools Basketball Championship after a nail-biting 57-55 overtime win against defending champions St. Jude Girls Secondary School, Bayelsa, at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The girls from Bayelsa, tipped as pre-match favourites, came out firing in the opening quarter and maintained dominance through the first half, taking a 30-21 lead into the break.
However, the tide turned in the second half as Abuja’s standout performer, Victoria Dike, delivered a heroic display that brought her side back into contention. Her efforts helped GSS Gwarinpa close the gap, forcing the game into overtime.
With just four seconds left on the clock in overtime, Dike rose for a mid-range jumper that sealed the win and sparked jubilant celebrations from her teammates and the bench.
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Dike posted a remarkable double-double, finishing with a game-high 20 points and 25 rebounds in 45 minutes of play. She was ably supported by Helen Joseph, who added 11 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals, while Radiat Abubakar chipped in 10 points and six rebounds.
Bayelsa’s top scorer, Happiness Jephter, finished with 19 points, but it wasn’t enough to keep her side in the tournament. Azibodi Frank and Jessica Gonigbo contributed 16 points and a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds, respectively.
Dike, who was named Most Valuable Player of the game, credited her performance to teamwork and faith.
“I feel very good. I didn’t even realize I had 20 points, I just kept going. It was all teamwork,” she told Bold Sports.
“As for that last shot, honestly, it was God. I didn’t even see the rim, just my opponent’s head. I took the shot and believed it would go in. Expect more in the final, we’re coming out hungry. The goal is to win it all.”
Head coach Oche Agabi Jr. expressed joy at the win but emphasized the job is not done yet.
“I’m really happy, but I won’t take all the credit. Thanks to the technical crew and, above all, to God. The girls gave everything and never gave up—even when we were trailing. This win was about resilience and teamwork,” Agabi told Bold Sports.
GSS Gwarinpa will play in the final on Thursday at the Indoor Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos. The team plans to work on key areas, including minimizing turnovers—having recorded a staggering 47 in the semifinal—as they aim to bring the trophy back to Abuja.
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