The quarterfinals are over and the semifinals have begun.

The 53rd National Youth Sports Competition is underway in Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do, on the 26th. The boys’ secondary school competition was held at Gangjin Gymnasium 1 and the girls’ secondary school competition was held at Gangjin Gymnasium 2. At the end of the third day, the semifinalists for the secondary school division have been determined.

In the South Central Division, Changwon Palyong Middle School from Changwon, Gyeongnam was the first to claim a spot. Kwak Min-joon (24 points, 8 three-pointers, 5 rebounds) led the offense from the perimeter, while Kim Dong-hyun (23 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals) and Bae Dae-beom (15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists) also contributed to a 75-58 victory over Pyeongwon Middle School in Gangwon Province.

On the other hand, Pyeongwon Joong, which upset the odds to reach the quarterfinals of the 2024 Korean Basketball Federation Championship Gimcheon, was unable to continue its momentum. Kim Lee-gun (18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals) played well, but it was not enough to break the momentum of Palyongjoong.

Next up for Seoul, Hwi Moon-joong won by eight points (69-61) against Incheon Annamjung. Park Bum-yoon (15 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Park Jio (12 points, 17 rebounds, and 6 assists) both had double-double performances, while Kim Ji-woong (17 points, 2 steals) also chipped in.

Jeonbuk Jeonju Namjung advanced to the semifinals with an 85-63 victory over Chungbuk Joo Sungjung, led by Kim Sung-gu (30 points, 6 rebounds). Ulsan Hwabongjoong 안전놀이터 was the final hero. Led by evenly matched performances from Song Yoo-chan (19 points, three 3-pointers, two assists), Lim Jun-sung (18 points, four 3-pointers, eight rebounds, four assists), and Lee Seung-hyun (16 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, six steals), the team defeated Cheonan Seongseongjung in Chungcheongnam-do 78-56.

In the women’s semifinals, Gangwon Bonguijung defeated Jeonnam Glory Hongnongjung 104-62 to advance to the semifinals. Kim Ji-min (19 points, 5 rebounds, 14 assists, 4 steals), Kim Song-hyo (15 points, 3 3-pointers, 4 rebounds
2 assists), and Lim Se-jung (10 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists).

In the matchup between Gyeonggi Suwon First Middle School and Busan Dongju Women’s Middle School, Suwon First Middle School had the last laugh in a close game. Cho Ga-yul (24 points, 7 rebounds) exploded for a 58-56 victory. Onyang Girls’ Middle School in Chungcheongnam-do was led by Lim Do-eun (18 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals), Yoo Eun-seo (16 points, four 3-pointers, eight rebounds, and three assists), and Heo Seo-yeon (13 points, four rebounds) in a 78-27 win over Incheon Inseong Girls’ Middle School.

Finally, defending champion Gwangju Gwangju Supia Girls’ Middle School defeated Gyeongbuk Sangju Girls’ Middle School 82-47, led by Kim Dam-hee (27 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, 7 steals) and Lim Se-woon (20 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals).