30 April 2015

NIGERIA : Zenith Bank League - Dolphins, First Deepwater Maintain Lead

Patience Okpe scored a team high 19 points and four rebounds, as Dolphins maintained their unbeaten run in the Zenith Bank Female Basketball League with a 92-29 points victory over whipping girls of Group B, Coal-city Queens of Enugu.
With a commanding start from the jump-ball the 2014 league runners up lead by double digits in each of the 4 quarters to send signals of their title ambitions this season.
Speaking after the match, leading scorer of the game, Okpe said " Our aspirations this season is to go a step further than we did last year which is getting the title". Our team is built on hard work and determination and we are taught to play without any inhibitions" She added
In other results from yesterday, First Deepwater also maintained their 100 per cent record in the 1st Phase of the Zenith Bank Female Basketball League with a 77-16 points victory over the Taraba Hurricanes.
RESULTS Benue Princess 33-31 Immigration
Zamfara Babes 8-65 Delta Force
AHIP Queens 29-39 Plateau Rocks

NIGERIA : Dolphins Demolish Coal City Queens 92-29, Tops Group B


Dolphins Basketball team of Lagos yesterday whitewashed their opponents; Coal City Queens of Enugu 92-29 to maintain their 100% win rate at the ongoing 11th Zenith Bank National Female Basketball League.
The last year runners up took the game to their opponents from the first quarter, taking a 16-7 lead into the second quarter.
Dolphins, propelled by sharpshooter, J. Ese who made five of her seven three-points attempts, jetted into an unassailable 43 points lead against the Enugu side's 13 at the end of the second quarter.
The third and fourth quarters followed the same pattern with Dolphins ending both with 61-21 and 92-29 score line respectively.
Guard, Patience Okpe with 19 points was the highest scorer for the Lagos-based team but Ese also contributed 17 points to ensure an emphatic win for their team.
Dolphins have not lost any match at the competition, winning IGP Queens 89-47 in their first match before going on to defeat Delta Force and Custom 80-47 and 56-39 respectively.

UGANDA : University Basketball Enters Play-Off Stage


ZUBL action between Nkumba and Ndejje universities
It is that stage of the tournament when all that matters is winning regardless of how it is achieved. So, the 2015 Zuku University Basketball League (ZUBL) quarterfinal gets underway this afternoon at various venues but the frontrunners are already known.
Men's defending champions Ndejje University takes on minnows International University of East Africa (IUEA) at KIU basketball court in a tie that has the hallmarks of a mismatch.
Ndejje are just one of the three unbeaten teams from the conference phase along with Makerere University and Uganda Christian University (UCU). Incidentally, Makerere's play-off against Busoga University at Lugogo arena also seems a walk in the park but UCU could have a tough time overcoming Nkumba University, who lost just a single game in the conference stage.
Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) have been the tournament's surprise package and their excellent display helped them avoid the big boys and earn them a tie against St Lawrence University (Slau). However, this is an evenly-balanced tie and could go either way.

RWANDA : Patriots turn focus to hoops league

photo
Patriots’s power forward Walter Nkurunziza dribbles the ball past UGB players in a league game. The 20-year-old has been an intergral part of the largely youthful team that has impressed many. (Sam Ngendahimana)
Patriots Basketball Club will be hoping to continue their good form that saw them reach the final of Rutayisire memorial tournament when the league resumes tomorrow.
Despite joining the Basketball league this season; Patriots have earned applause after getting to the final of the three-day competition. Cyrille Kalima’s Patriots narrowly lost 64-65 to mighty Espoir BBC in the final on Sunday evening at Amahoro stadium.
In an interview with Times Sport, Kalima said there is a lot his side learnt from the competition, adding that losing the final to the champions by one point shows his team is on the right course.
“Rutayisire Memorial Tournament taught us a lot; it also showed us that there is still a lot to do to make it to the top of the local scene. The experience and confidence we earned from this competition will help my players and the club at large to improve,” the former Kigali Basketball Club (KBC) coach told this paper.
He also noted that, “Despite having a youthful squad, I believe some of my players are up to national team level standards. Our intention is to become a basketball powerhouse sooner than later and we are on the right track.
Patriots club which was formed six months ago, are joint league leaders with Espoir Basketball Club on 21 points but the latter have played one game less.
The league resumes tomorrow with Patriots taking on IPRC- Kigali at 6pm at Amahoro stadium before taking on Espoir on Sunday.

29 April 2015

KENYA : Leaking roof causes match abandonment at Nyayo gym again!

By francis marangu
Apr 28, 2015
  • Felix Omondi of Mennonites dribbles past Lions in a KBF league match at the Nyayo Stadium. The match between Ulinzi and Strathmore was abandoned because of a leaking roof. (Photo by Shutterspeed)
A leaking roof at the Nyayo National Stadium indoor court caused the abandonment at half time of a Kenya Basketball Federation league match between Strathmore Blades and Ulinzi Warriors.
This is the third time a game has been abandoned at the gymnasium due to leaking roof over the past two seasons.
During last season’s playoffs, Sports Kenya intervened after play was interrupted by rain. Very minimal renovations were made at the time and their laxity continues to haunt the beautiful game.
Ironically, Britam Insurance won branding rights for the stadium with expectations that the facility will improve. To the contrary, it is the same old story.
The match was abandoned at half time with Ulinzi leading 33-31after winning the second quarter 20-16 and Blades the first 15-13.
Earlier, University of Nairobi Terrorist beat Umoja 77-65. It was a dominant show for Terror who led 34-30 at halftime. The first quarter went to Terror 18-12 and Umoja won the second 18-16.
Umoja took a three-point lead in the third quarter winning 23-16 but Terror turned tables with a 27-12 score in the fourth quarter. Michael Ochieng scored 22 points for Terror while Collins Ochieng and William Mayiel combined for 31. Marvin Freeman and Rodgers Ombati scored 14 points apiece for Umoja.
In another match, Samba Mjomba scored 14 points and Eleanor Musundi added 13 as Equity Bank women's team beat Sprite Storms 57-31. The bankers led 29-15 at halftime after winning first and second quarters 12-5 and 17-10.
The third quarter was the toughest for Storms losing 3-18 but won the fourth 14-10. Storms'  highest scorer was Linet Mukiri with nine points.
Slim lead at the breather
In division one, World Hope beat Kakamega-Nebulas 89-62. They narrowly led 36-35 at the breather. Eric Kayiere scored 25 points for World Hope and Patrick Wakasiaka adde 23. Fredrick Osore top scored for Nebulas with 24 points.
Barclays Bank escaped with a 59-53 win over Eldonets after a 30-22 halftime lead. Neville Ogutu top-scored for Barclays with 15 points while Franklyn Omwaka and Maxwell Kerugo replied with 16 each for Nebulas.
In the meantime, up to 34 basketball clubs are on the spot for using unregistered players in the KBF league.
Joseph Amoko, the KBF competitions secretary said the federation will not allow any of the affected clubs to field unregistered players from the next round of play. Under the competitions rules for this season, all players must get official transfer documents whenever they move clubs.
However, most of the participating teams have overlooked the rules. “The team managers are responsible for this and we are not going to allow these players to play before they are officially released from their former clubs,” Amoko stated.
“We have written to teams to provide us with their registration forms and only 15 have done so. With effect from today (Monday), we shall not allow these players to turn up for their new teams unless they have been released officially.”
Sunday Results: World Hope 89 Kakamega-Nebulas 62, Barclays Bank 59 Eldonets 53, Sprite Storms 31 Equity Bank 57, Umoja 65 Terror 77, Blades 31 Ulinzi Warriors 33 (stopped at halftime).

RWANDA : Rutayisire memorial tourney to be held annually

1430256527Jean-Guy-RutayisireJean Guy Rutayisire


Kigali Basketball Club and Rwanda Basketball Federation have agreed to hold the Jean Guy Rutayisire memorial tournament annually in honor of the former Kigali Basketball Club player who died in a fatal accident in March.
Rutayisire, one of the best Basketball players in the country died when the car he was travelling in collided with a fuso as he and his teammates were on their way to Huye for a league game.
The accident claimed five people with several others getting serious injuries and the Basketball league was suspended for several weeks as the entire Basketball fraternity and other Sports Associations mourned the victims.
A tournament to honor Rutayisire and his departed colleagues was held last week with Espoir defeating Patriots 65-64 in the final.
According to Kigali Basketball Club Chairman Callixte Rutajogerwa, the club and Basketball Federation have agreed to honor the departed players by holding a tournament every year.
“We want to have this tournament every year, we want to recognize Rutayisire and his colleagues for what they did for this game,” Rutajogerwa said.
Rutayisire played for Uganda’s most successful basketball club, Falcons between 2000 and 2005, before joining APR in 2005 until 2008, winning three league titles with the army side.
editorial@newtimes.co.rw

28 April 2015

NIGERIA : DSTV League - Union Bank Beat Kwara Falcons 61-58


Kwara Falcons Basketball team on Friday at the state's indoor sports hall, Ilorin suffered their third consecutive loss of the season to visiting Union Bank of Lagos in the encounter which ended 58-61.
The week four Atlantic conference encounter of the DStv Premier Basketball league saw the visitors taking charge from the first quarter, showing high technical input.
The first and second quarters ended 15-13, 22-29 in favour of Union Bank with the home side chasing the game all through.
Kwara Falcons stepped up in the third quarter gradually picking up points but the visitors' superiority showed with a 45-43 advantage.
The final quarter was no different as both sides strived to win but the visitors won with a 61-58 match point.
Kwara Falcons will travel to face Delta Force last Friday.

NIGERIA : Zenith Bank League - IGP Queens, Oluyole, Benue Post Wins


The Inspector General of Police Queens basketball club powered by Sadiat Zakari's career high 36 points 4 assists and 4 rebounds yesterday drubbed Coalcity Queens 87-26 in the first game of yesterday at the ongoing Zenith Bank Female Basketball League holding at the National Stadium Abuja. The Police girls dominated from the jumpball winning the first quarter 25-11, and an impressive defensive display in the second quarter from the Police girls held Coalcity to just 3 points, ensuring they went to the break with a 40-14 points lead.
The girls from Enugu managed just 12 points in the second half of the game as the IGP Queens bagged their second win in three games this season.
Head coach of IGP Queens, Abraham Ogaba said it was a relief to get the win having narrowly lost their game to Customs last the previous day.
"We knew we could not afford to lose again today, we had to make sure we got the win and that is we did."

27 April 2015

Nigeria: Akashili Shines for First Bank, as Currency's 35 Points Lift Dolphins

Former four-time Most Valuable Player of the Zenith Bank Female Basketball League Nkechi Akashili, showed her MVP credentials as she helped defending champions First Bank basketball club start their title defence in style, scoring 27 points in the Elephant Girls' emphatic defeat of Plateau Peaks 91-36 at the weekend.
The former First Deepwater star shot an impressive 100 per cent from the three-point range (5/5) adding five of eight shots from the field in the win.
While Atosu Upe and Chidinma Nwakama joined Akashili as the only First Bank players to score double figures adding 13 points and 10 points respectively.
Last season's runner-up, Dolphin Basketball Club, also gave a top-class performance in an interesting opening day, as sharp-shooting guard, Juliet Currency, knocked down 35 points and added 10 rebounds as Dolphins drubbed the Inspector General of Police (I.G.P) Queens 89-47 to run up as leaders in Group B.
Former champions, First Deepwater, shook off a slow start to defeat Kaduna based AHIP Queens 60-33, while debutants Zamfara Babes got their Zenith Bank female league campaign to a winning start as they came from behind to defeat Coal-city Queens 40-39. In other results, Delta Force forced their way past GT200 79-25, while Oluyole Babes and FCT Angels defeated Immigration and Nasarawa Amazons 42-30 and 63-57 respectively.
Action continues yesterday at the National Stadium in Abuja as Benue Princess took on Oluyole Babes, while Taraba Hurricanes and Plateau Rocks were also scheduled to tango. Zamfara Babes and GT200 were also scheduled to continue their fairytale run in the league. Others games were also on card as at press time.

Nigeria: 11th Zenith Bank Female Basketball League to Produce National Team


The ongoing 11th Zenith Bank Female basketball league will produce players who will beef up the female national teams, Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) president Tijani Umar has said.
While speaking to Daily Trust at the Abuja National Stadium yesterday, the NBBF President expressed optimism that new stars will be discovered during the competition.
"Women league is now getting to the stage of that of the men. The national team is sure going forward. Talents from this league will continue to be harnessed for the national team.
"Most of the coaches taking charge of these teams are national team coaches so, they have a task not only to coach their team but also to keep an eye on new discoveries, who is going to be in the national team line up," he said.
The standard of play on the opening day of the competition does not suggest any big player emerging from the competition but Umar said the display of players in the Day 1 of the competition cannot be used to judge the standard of play in the competition as the players who just travelled into Abuja for the competition were still trying to settle in.
"Let's wait and see, maybe in the next three days, and we will see clearly who is ready and who is still sleeping," he noted.
Sixteen teams competed for glory in the last edition but 18 are taking part in the ongoing competition.

Nigeria Women Basketball - FCT Angels Defeat Nasarawa Amazons

FCT Angels basketball team of Abuja won their opening game as the 11th Zenith Bank National Basketball Female Basketball League got underway by beating Nasarawa Amazons of Lafia 63-37.
The league, which is a nine-day event, is holding from April 25 to May 3.
It is taking place at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Abuja National Stadium, and is being organised by the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF.
In the game played as one of Day One matches on Saturday, the FCT Angels took control of the game by leading in all the quarters.
At the end of the match, Emmanuel Odah, the coach of the FCT Angels, said he was happy they won the game as it would help to ginger them into finishing well.

UGANDA : UCU Canons come from down to beat Ndejje | National Basketball League

 Ivan Lumanyika picked 11 rebounds for UCU again Ndejje @Kawowo Sports / FRANKLIN KAWERU Ivan Lumanyika picked 11 rebounds for UCU again Ndejje
UCU Canons 68-58 Ndejje University Angels
The UCU Canons overcame a 20 points first half hole to defeat Ndejje University Angels 68-58 on Sunday night at YMCA.
Guard, Joseph Wacha stepped off the bench to lift Canons (2-1) with game high 18 points, connecting 8-of-9 shots from the floor.
Despite missing their two big men – Brian Ssentongo and Jeje Chaka, Ndejje got off a flying start with point guard, Micheal Otieno (18 points) lighting up the scored board to end the first quarter leading by 14 points (23-7).
However, that was all for Ndejje. While Canons’ offense woke up as the game progressed, Ndejje’s went to bed despite their 15 points lead at halftime.
UCU started the third quarter with a 16-4 run to chase down Ndejje and levelled the game at 41 before Ndejje edged ahead to go into the final quarter leading 48-45.
UCU’s offensive spark continued in the final quarter and took the lead for good with under four minutes. Temperatures rose at Ndejje’s technical bench and head coach, Walker Obedi earned a technical in the process.
Derrick Katumba the only available big man for Ndejje contributed 16 points and picked 9 rebounds in a losing effort.
After sitting out aginst Oilers, UCU’s center Ivan Lumanyika returned with 11 rebounds and 6 points.


UGANDA : Bushcourt post first National Basketball League win


Bushcourt lines up aganist Ndejje in the first game at Lugogo Photo Credits: Brian Cucu Bushcourt lines up aganist Ndejje in the first game at Lugogo
Bushcourt 66-53 Diamonds In The Sun
Bushcourt’s point guard, Brian Cucu said they would look and play better on Sunday afternoon against Diamonds In The Sun compared to their first two games of the 2015 National Basketball League season.
The NBL freshers did just that and recorded a 66-53  win over Diamonds at YMCA for their first win in Uganda’s premier basketball division.
Bushcourt (1-2) trailed by six points going into the final quarter but exploded for 28 points – limiting their opponents to 11 – in final ten minutes and pinned a 13 points loss to Diamonds on a the afternoon and DITS’ third in a row.
Cucu led Bushcourt’s balanced team effort with 14 points – connecting 4-of-6 from 3-point range.The guard also picked team high 6 rebounds and handed out 3helpers. Jonathan Kirya added 10 points while Fahad Basena, Donald Ssempewa and Stephen Nyeko contributed 8 points each.
Emma Odonkar had game high 17 points and 8 boards for DITS in a losing effort. 2013 Regular Season MVP, Ben Okumu had 12 points and game high 11 rebounds.
With another winless side, Our Saviour their next opponent, it gets no tougher for Diamonds

UGANDA : UCU humiliate Busitema, Busoga in ZUBL


Martha Nabirye of Uganda Martyrs University (with ball) is denied a passage by Ndejje University opponents during a ZUBL clash last Saturday. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA  
By Sande BashaijaBusoga and Busitema universities got some baptism of fire on the basketball court at the weekend.
The two women’s sides were humiliated by hosts Uganda Christian University (UCU) in the Zuku University Basketball League (ZUBL) on Saturday.
Ritah Imanishimwe scored a game high 20 points while Purity Odhiambo added 14 for UCU to drub Busitema 83-2.
Lukia Nabayego scored Busitema’s only basket, earning herself plaudits from everyone watching including the home fans. In the other game, UCU were more ruthless, notching a century in a 117-7 victory over Busoga. UCU men also did so well on the day as they thumped Busoga 80-21 while Kampala University edged St Lawrence 39-36 in the other game.
ZUBL RESULTS
MEN
Busoga 21-80 UCU
Ndejje 56-48 UMU
SLAU 36-39 KU
WOMEN
Ndejje 37-30 UMU
Busitema 02-83 UCU
Busoga 7–117 UCU
Cavenish 22–26 KU
sbashaija@ug.nationmedia.com

26 April 2015

UGANDA : Action-Packed Weekend in University Basketball


The 2015 Zuku University Basketball League resumes this weekend with a series of attractive fixtures.
There are three games lined up at the Makerere University Business School (Mubs) basketball court this afternoon. Kampala University will take on the hosts in both genders before the Mubs ladies entertain Makerere University in the day's final action.
On Saturday and Sunday, the thick of action will then shift to the Uganda Christian University (UCU) for the first time this season. There are 21 fixtures for the two days with fast-improving Busoga University taking on hosts UCU needing a win to remain in contention for a play-off place.
St Lawrence University (Slau) ladies will then battle for supremacy against Kampala University before Kisubi Brothers return to the fold against Ndejje University in the men's category.

UGANDA : League newcomers Bushcourt face DITS | National Basketball League


Brian Cucu (L) will lead Bushcourt against Diamonds In The Sun Brian Cucu (L) will lead Bushcourt against Diamonds In The Sun

Bushcourt Vs Diamonds In The Sun, 2:00pm YMCA
Bushcourt has recieved a harsh welcome into the National Basketball League. Two losses in two games is what league freshers Bushcourt have gotten.
The freshers will return to the floor against a team they share a record, Diamonds In The Sun for their third game of the season.
“We are a new team in the NBL and we were overwhelmed in the first loss because of inexperience but you can tell there is work in progress” Bush Court’s guard, Brian Cucu said.
While Bushcourt’s opponents boast in the size of the players – never mind the execution, Cucu believes size will not be a big issue when they face DITS.
 “We are the smallest team in the league in terms of size but i think that should not be a big problem because we are atleast trying to be quick” he says.
Bushcourt suffered a 40 points loss against Ndejje to start the season but were much better against Charging Rhinos – a game they lost by 11 points.
“The next game (against Diamonds) should be way better than any of the last two losses. We know the work that is demanded in the NBL. We are working hard at practice and i hope it can pay off in the games that we are playing here”Brian Cucu told Kawowo Sports.
Meanwhile, DITS have been at the recieving of atleast 81 points in their two season opening games against league giants Stanbic Warriors and Tiger Head Power.
Brian Rugyendo will be hoping his team pick their first win of the season against Bushcourt.

UGANDA : Gladiators, Amazon face heavy weights A1, KCCA | National Basketball League


Sylvia Nakzibwe will be at the point for A1 Challenge against Gladiators Sylvia Nakzibwe will be at the point for A1 Challenge against Gladiators
A1 Challenge Vs Gladiators 10:00am
Amazon Rhino Vs KCCA Leopards 12:00noon
Promoted sides, Gladiators and Amazon Rhino will be up against league giants A1 Challenge and KCCA Leopards respectively in the National Basketball League at YMCA.
The two sides, Gladiators and Amazon, that earned promotion into the National Basketball League this year have both not recorded a win a feat that may not change when they face off with A1 and defending champions Leopards respectively.
Gladiators (0-2) have shipped in atleast 75 points in the two encounters they have been involved in and against a rejuvenated A1 Challenge, another loss may be on the cards.
A1 (1-1) were edged by KCCA in the season opening game 49-46 but bounced back against Nkumba Lady Marines 58-54 in their last outing and will be seeking to add on to that win.
While Amazon (0-2) have not shipped in as much as Gladiators, they do not stand a chance against the best team in the country, KCCA Leopards that’s looking to stay perfect.

KENYA : Mennonites break their season’s duck with a Lions win

Lions’s Simon Mayien (left) drives up the court as Mennonites’s Arnolds Ojuju gives chase during their basketball Premier League match on April 25, 2015 at Nyayo Stadium gymnasium. Mennonites won 57-57. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | Lions’s Simon Mayien (left) drives up the court as Mennonites’s Arnolds Ojuju gives chase during their basketball Premier League match on April 25, 2015 at Nyayo Stadium gymnasium


Mennonites celebrated their first victory in this year’s men’s basketball Premier League with a hard-fought 57-56 win over Lions at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium on Saturday.
After losing four matches in a row, Mennonites to deny Lions their first win of the season.
Mennonites trailed Lions 17-16 in the first quarter before edging ahead 28-27 at the break.
Strong Simon Mayien, Victor Ochieng and Collins Odhiambo, who had started well for Lions, lost their fighting spirit in the third quarter in which Mennonites used Moses Koome and Irungu Maina to respond to their threat.
The duo put pressure to steer Mennonites, who had lost 65-49 against Umoja last weekend, to go up 24-14 at the end of the third quarter.
Mennonites had a 10-point advantage, 52-41, at the beginning of the last quarter but were let down by turnovers in which Ochieng and Mayien of Lions capitalized on to hit them hard and stay in sight of the game.
LIONS STILL WINLESS
Lions, who are still winless in five outings, had Collins Odhiambo missing a critical free-throw that could have sent the game into over-time at 57-57.
Odhiambo scored a game high 17 points, Koome (11) for Mennonites while Ochieng and Mayien each provided 12 and Odhiambo (13) for Lions.
“The boys were desperate to register their first win and ended up committing unnecessary turnovers when they were leading comfortably,’’ Mennonites coach Sonny Mugesha said.
Lions coach Ikapian Juma said: “ We have adjusted our training sessions which have contributed to our poor performance where have lost all our five matches. Just like last year, we intend to work on our weakness on inadequate  training to do well in coming fixtures.
“We train for only a few hours and no team can do well in any competition when the players do not train adequately,’’ said Juma, a former Lions and Kenya international.
In the men’s Division One League match, red-hot Daniel Imbali scored 31 points to lead 4-Christ in a comfortable 63-54 victory over visiting Nebulas Kakamega. Imbali was on fire from the word go scoring the opening 12 points for the winners as they led 12-10 in the first quarter.
Nebulas hit back to tie the scores 25-25 at half-time before they overpowered their hosts taking a 18-11 third quarter lead. 4-Christ had Imbali again sinking 12 points in the last quarter.

25 April 2015

ZIMBABWE : Basketball Independence Trophy Tourney Starts Tomorrow


HARARE province basketball clubs will converge at Belvedere Teachers' College for the second Independence Trophy tournament starting tomorrow.
The event will see only clubs from Harare fighting for honours in the men and women's sections in the two-day event slated for tomorrow and Sunday.
Last year the tournament featured men's clubs only but this year they have opened doors for women.
In the men's section there are 24 teams which will be divided into eight groups of three with the top team progressing to the quarter-finals while in the women's category there are 10 teams that will be grouped into three pools.
Two pools will be made up of three teams and the other pool will be made up of four.
The top team in each group and the best runners-up will proceed to the semi-finals.
Chairman of the organising committee Tendai Zhakata said they will be rotating the tournaments from one province to another.
"We have another tournament coming, the May Day tourney, and it will be held in Gweru followed by the Africa Day in Bulawayo.

UGANDA : Classic Falcons tame Oilers | National Basketball League


Steven Omony scored game high 24 points to lead Falcons past City Oilers Steven Omony scored game high 24 points to lead Falcons past City Oilers
City Oilers 66-81 StarTimes Falcons
The StarTimes Falcons are ready to challenge for the National Basketball League this year. The record league champions beat the defending champions, City Oilers 81-66  on Friday night at YMCA.
Forward, Steven Omony scored game high 24 points and picked 7 rebounds to lead the way for Falcons. Points guard, Joseph Ouma added 15 points.
“I think we played every way we had planned and the result came in hand. They (City Oilers) played well but i think we just did a few things better than them” Falcons’ Steven Omony told Kawowo Sports. “Its a well deserved win, great effort from everybody and I'm proud of everyone” he added.
Ouma Vs Enabu
Falcons got off a big start outscoring Oilers 18-11 in the first quarter but gave away many second chances to Oilers and the back-to-back champions got back into the game – going into halftime trailing Falcons by just a point (35-36).
However, the Falcons solidified on defense while keeping the consistence on offense – limiting City Oilers to 10 third quarter points and scored 24 on the other end taking the lead into double figure and Falcons did not look back.
“I think certain things dont go according to plan but i think the biggest part of our plan was executed. We lost a couple of rebounds that brought them back into the game but we corrected that and we were back ontrack” Omony said.
Kizito Vs Drileba
Ariel Okall contributed 14 points and 8 rebounds for Falcons, Derrick Mbusi had 9 points and 8 rebounds, Peter Elungant chipped in with 10 points.
City Oilers’ 'dependables' and bigs got into foul trouble early in the third which made the worker even easier for Falcons in the final period.
“I felt Falcons played very good defense in the second half and we didn't have consistent scorers on our side and that made a very big difference especially in the second half” Oilers’ coach, Mandy Juruni said. "Kami (Kabange) and Okello (James) were scoring and put us back in the game but later on in the third and fourth quarter we didn't have that” he added.
Kami Kabange scored team high 18 points and 9 rebounds for Oilers, James Okello big night ended with 16 points and 8 rebounds, Daniel Jjuko contributed 12 points and MVP Jimmy Enabu had 9 points on his off night.
“We stopped taking the ball to the hoop, our shooting was very low today from the outside, on the free throws and our defense on the guards was not good.” Juruni said.
“Falcons did everything they wanted on us. They were scoring, dishing and driving to the hoop. They had a lot of freedom today and the desire and attitude of our players was not right today” Juruni, concluded.

24 April 2015

RWANDA : Guy Rutayisire memorial tournament starts today

photo
APR BBC players during a previous league game. (Sam Ngendahimana)
Group A: Dynamo, Patriots and UGB
Group B: Espoir, APR and CSK
Today
Patriots vs UGB 6pm
Espoir vs CSK 8pm
Saturday
Dynamo vs Patriots 1pm
CSK vs APR 3pm
Patriots (VET) vs CSK (VET) 5pm
Dynamo vs UGB 6pm
APR vs Espoir 8pm
Sunday: Final
Winner Grp A vs Winner Grp B 3pm
1429821350Jean-Guy-Rutayisire
The late Rutayisire played for Kigali BC between 2005 and 2008, winning three league titles with the army side.(File)
Kigali Basketball Club in conjunction with the Rwanda Basketball Federation has organized a tournament in honor of their former player Jean Guy Rutayisire, who died in a fatal car accident along the Kigali-Huye highway on March 1.
The three-day memorial tournament will be played from Friday to Sunday at Amahoro indoor stadium.
The accident occurred at Nkoto in Kamonyi District when the Kigali Basketball Club team was travelling to Huye District for a league game against University of Rwanda- Huye Campus. That accident claimed a total of five people and many others were severely injured.
Five local teams and one from Burundi will compete for the trophy. The teams include; reigning league champions Espoir, APR, Cirecle Sportif de Kigali, Patriots, United Generation and Dynamo (Burundi).
Rutayisire also played for Uganda’s most successful basketball club, Falcons between 2000 and 2005, before joining APR in 2005 until 2008, winning three league titles with the army side.
editorial@newtimes.co.rw

22 April 2015

UGANDA : Depleted Warriors entertain Falcons

Kampala.
By their admission, Falcons found it too easy in their first game, a 104-59 win over Sharing Youth. “We did not find any difficulty and hopefully it remains so throughout the campaign,” Falcons’ Kenyan imports Joseph Ouma and Ariel Okall, recruited from Kenyan Ports Authority, said in unison after their first game.
Today’s opponents Warriors, who they meet at YMCA, are unlikely to be as obliging though.
“We strongly believe we can win,” Warriors coach Gad Eteu said despite raising only seven players for their first encounter, an 81-66 victory over Dits.
Warriors have also since lost experienced centre, Henry Malinga, who finally concluded his move to KIU Titans while Stephen Okias is still out with illness.
Guard Sedar Sagamba is expected to return after sitting out the opener, according to Eteu.
“Eight players should be able to do it for us as we look to make more additions,” the warriors coach stated. Meanwhile, the Kansanga-based KIU hosts its first games this evening with the home men and women’s teams both in action against Sharing Youth and Amazon Rhino respectively.
“I just felt the need for a change of environment. You get complacent when you stay in the same team for a long time,” Malinga said of his move to KIU. Malinga joins an already established cast of Francis Sokoroza, Norman Blick, Chris Omanye and Geoffrey Soro.
FUBA LEAGUE
WOMEN
KIU vs. Amazon Rhino 6:30pm, at KIU
A1 vs. Lady Marines 6:30, at YMCA
MEN
KIU Titans vs. Sharing 8:30pm, at KIU
Warriors vs. Falcons 8:30, at YMCA

21 April 2015

UGANDA : Makerere Make it Six in a Row in University Basketball League


Makerere is eager to bounce back from a disappointing 2014 inaugural season, in which they were eliminated at the semifinal stage by eventual winners Ndejje University.
This time round, they are the only unbeaten in the Kampala Central II conference and overcame St Lawrence University (Slau) 83-70 on Friday to remain on course of being the top seed for the quarterfinals.
The top eight teams from the three conferences will qualify for the knockout stage and with giants such as Ndejje, Nkumba University and Uganda Christian University (UCU) assured of qualification, what matters most at the moment is to get a fairly easy draw to the final.
That could pit them against the likes of Busoga University, Cavendish University or even Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) in the last eight phase. Eighteen teams are taking part in the men's category.
Meanwhile, Makerere's ladies team remain overwhelming favourites to retain the title and easily defeated Slau 49-22. However, the ladies field is wide open with several unbeaten sides which include Makerere University Business School (Mubs), UCU, Ndejje and Nkumba. It is still early days but any of those teams can take it on their day.
Fifteen ladies team are taking part. Action resumes on Tuesday with several fixtures lined up but the peak of the ties will be Ndejje's showdown against Nkumba.

UGANDA : Power sparkle against Diamond

KAMPALA. There were no shocks as the Airtel National Basketball League entered its second week of the season. Tiger Head Power, unlike the previous weekend, had only one engagement this time and executed it almost perfectly brushing aside Diamonds In The Sun (DITS) 84 – 52 at YMCA on Sunday.
Sudi Ulanga showed what he can add to the Power roster scoring a game high 22 points as they dominated the game from the onset winning all four periods 23-16, 19-10, 29-14 and 13-12.
“We are slowly getting there in terms of fitness and gelling,” Power coach Robert Mugabe said after the game. There were also three other players in double figures for Power with Joseph Ikong contributing 11 points while the two Michaels, Makiadi and Kojo added 15 and 11 points respectively.
FUBA LEAGUE RESULTS
Men
Rhinos 76-65 Bush Court
Ndejje 55-52 Our Saviour
Power 84 - 52 DITS
Ladies
KCCA 75-47 Gladiators

20 April 2015

KENYA : Co-op Bank deny Equity maximum points

By francis marangu
Apr 20, 2015
  • Florence Mbithe of Ulinzi shileds the ball from Debbie Odunga of Eagle Wings in a match Ulinzi won 59-58. (Photo by Shutterspeed)
Allan Ouma scored 24 points and Brian Busu added 16 as Co-operative Bank beat Equity Bank 76-47 in a Kenya Basketball Federation league game played at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium on Sunday.
Ouma grabbed three rebounds while Busu rebounded seven times to steer their team to a comfortable win.
For Equity, Fred Lugasi scored nine points. Co-op won the first quarter 20-8 and Equity the second 21-18 as the former led 38-29 at halftime. Co-op dictated the tempo in the second half winning the third and fourth quarters 18-6 and 20-12.
From the free-throw line, Co-op Bank attempted 31 times scoring 16 while their attempts at 3-point shots were seven only making two. Equity scored three points off the free-throw line and 15 from 3-point shots.
Strathmore’s Blades had to sweat it out in their 60-54 win over Terror from University of Nairobi in a close match. Blades enjoyed a slim lead of two points at halftime winning the first quarter 16-14 while the second was all square at 11-11.
Blades stretched their lead to seven points at the close of third quarter with a 17-12 win but fourth quarter provided the thrills as Terror slowly fought back with unanswered baskets to tie the game at 48-all inside five minutes of the final quarter.
Point-guard Reuben Muraya managed to break the deadlock with a basket for Blades after more than a minute of scoreless play. For the next three minutes, both teams traded scores and the game was tied again at 54-all as the clock read 2:02 remaining.
Stage for a tense ending
This set the stage for a tense ending as Blades managed a basket to take the lead at 56-54. With only seconds counting to the final whistle, Terror called for a timeout to re-strategize on how to overturn the scoreline or force a tie for overtime.
However, it turned against their plan as three successive turnovers by Sila Awuor and two fouls allowed Blades to seal the win with a basket from Emmanuel Soja and one free shot each from Joseph Ongoro and Peter Shilton.
Ongoro scored four 3-point shots to top-score for Blades with 21 points while Frank Manyala had 12 points for Terror. Blades made eleven free shots and five 3-point shots against Terror’s four free shots and four 3-point shots.
Strathmore University was not lucky going down 65-70 to Kenya Airports Authority (KAA). Luka Lukongo scored 18 points for KAA who led 30-24 at halftime while Liude Kakembo scored 13 for Strathmore.
Umoja shocked Mennonite 65-49 for their first win of the debut season. Umoja led 30-22 at the breather and had Joseph Dibondo top-score with 14 points. Denis Kiboe scored 11 points for Mennonite.
Elsewhere, hosts Nakuru Club beat Ulinzi Warriors 61-57 as Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) easily won 65-42 at home to Zetech University.
Hotly contested encounter
The women premier league game between Ulinzi Blades and Eagle Wings was another hotly contested encounter for the weekend. Ulinzi won by a basket beating the Eagles 59-57.
It was a positive display for Eagles who had ten players against their opponent’s twelve and managed to win two quarters. At halftime, the scores tied at 31-all after Ulinzi won the first quarter 15-9 and Eagles the second 22-16.
In the third quarter, Ulinzi took a five-points lead winning 11-6. A fight back in the closing quarter saw Eagles win 20-17 but fell short of clinching the win. Bridgit Nanzala, a former Eagle Wings player, top-scored for Ulinzi with a game high of 24 points.
Player-coach Evelyn Kedogo led from the front scoring 15 points for Eagles that were aided by four 3-point shots. Lucy Machuma added 12 points for Eagles who had seven points come from free shots and 18 from the 3-point line.
In division one action, Franklin Delano scored four three-point shots to help Barclays Bank beat Blazers 70-54. Thirteen of Barclays points came from the free shots and 27 from three-point shots while Blazers made 15 free shots.
On Saturday, Blazers beat Parklands Baptist 66-36, KCA-U beat Don Bosco 43-40, 4-Christ won 62-60 against Little Prince while Trailblazers beat Baraka Xtreme 64-34.
Weekend Results
Saturday: Nakuru Club 61 Ulinzi Warriors 57, KPA 65 Zetech University 42, Little Prince 60 4-Christ 62, Don Bosco 40 KCA-U 43, Parklands Baptist 36 Blazers 66, Mennonite 49 Umoja 65, KAA 70 Strathmore University 65.
Sunday: Eagle Wings 57 Ulinzi Blades 59, Blazers 54 Barclays Bank 70, Trailblazers 64 Baraka Xtreme 34, Terror 54 Blades 60, Co-op Bank 76 Equity Bank Men 47.

UGANDA : Makiadi fails to stop Makerere in ZUBL

 
Makerere University’s Kevin Acheruilut (left) in action against Kampala University yesterday. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA   

KAMPALA. Michael Makiadi is one of the biggest names in the Zuku University Basketball League (ZUBL).
Turning out for Cavendish University, Makiadi has lived to his big star status since the tournament started last month.
In one of the games last week, the big man, who turns out for Power in the national league, scored a free throw while facing the opposite direction.
His cheeky throw has been a subject of discussion on social media since with some observers saying he was so disrespectful to opposing players and the tournament itself.
On Saturday, however, the towering Makiadi didn’t have the luxury of pulling off another sassy throw.
It was serious business as his side clashed with Makerere University in one of the games at Bushcourt, Kololo.
Still, the former KIU star, managed a game high 18 points much as he couldn’t stop Makerere from winning 41-31. Daniel Ojoro led Makerere with 11 points in the game.
The result left Cavendish seven points behind leaders MUK in the five team Kampala Central 2 Conference while St. Lawrence are second following their 83-70 loss to the table toppers on Thursday.
Kenneth Mwesho was another star performer on the day, scoring 21 points as his Busitema team lost 22-62 to Kyambogo.
Without him on court, it’s safe to suggest Busitema could have scored only one point. Arthur Ainebyona led Kyambogo in the commanding victory with 20 points.
In the women’s category, St Lawrence beat Cavendish 45-29 but lost to defending champions Makerere 29-45. Action returns tomorrow with Nkumba hosting Ndejje in Entebbe.
In the Kampala Central Conference, Brian Sivachi’s 11 points helped Nkumba to a 60-35 victory over Kisubi and make up for their 56-51 loss to UMU.
In the Eastern group, Kenneth Mwesho scored 21 of Busitema’s 22 points but could not prevent his side from falling 62-22 to Kyambogo for whom Arthur Ainebyona scored 20 points.
SATURDAY ZUKU RESULTS
Men
Cavendish 31-41 Makerere
Busitema 22-62 Kyambogo
Kisubi 35-60 Nkumba
Busoga 51-42 Busitema
Busitema 18-56 IUEA
Busoga 20-00 IUIU (walkover)
Kyambogo 20-00 IUIU
Women
Cavendish 29-45 St Lawrence
Busitema 00-20 KIU (walkover)
Makerere 49-22 St Lawrence
TOMORROW AT NKUMBA
W: Nkumba vs. Ndejje, 4pm
M: Nkumba vs. Ndejje, 6pm
essenonoe@ug.nationmedia.com

KENYA : Espoir stretch winning run in B-ball league

Sunday
IPRC- South 42-57 Espoir
UR- CASS 67-46 30-Plus
APR 62-57 Rusizi
UR- CoE 39-57 Patriots
Saturday
IPRC-Kigali 74-47 30-Plus
CSK 88-41 UR-CoE
Espoir 90-47 Rusizi
UR-CASS 49-62 IPRC- South
Three-time reigning basketball champions, Espoir defeated IPRC- South 57-42 in Huye district yesterday to stay top of the National Basketball League table and extend their winning run to 10 in eleven games.
In a very close first quarter of the game, the defending champions claimed it 11-10 before grabbing the second 15-9 to head into half-time with a 26-19 lead. IPRC narrowly bagged the third quarter 10-9 but Espoir responded well to win the final quarter 22-13.
Espoir’s Olivier Shyaka and Bienvenue Ngandu jointly scored a game high 14 points apiece while Yesman Bushiri and Bienvenue Ngabonziza scored ten and nine points for the losing side respectively. Jean Bahufite’s Espoir are in very good form after two wins in a row. Espoir on Saturday thrashed Rusizi 90-47.
In a post-match interview with this paper, Coach Bahufite acknowledged that the game was very intense and congratulated his players for a job well done.
“The game was so tight, IPRC are a good team and we knew they would cause us trouble but thanks to my players for overcoming the hurdle. We need to get better and more focused every day as we are battling for a treble this season,” Bahufite said.
Elsewhere, University of Rwanda- College of Arts and Social Sciences (UR- CASS) who lost 62-49 to IPRC- South on Saturday bounced to sink 67-46 struggling 30-Plus at UR- Huye campus gymnasium to register their third victory of the season while joint table leaders Patriots BBC beat 57-39 University of Rwanda- College of Education.
As it stands, Patriots and Espoir sit at the helm of the log with 21 points each, two points ahead of IPRC- South who are in third-place.

KENYA : KAA run over Strathmore students in tight Premier League match at Nyayo

KENYA Airports Authority sunk Strathmore University 70-65 in a Premier League clash at Nyayo Stadium. The students trailed 24-30 at the breather and never recovered. Luka Lukongo managed 18 points and Billy Ongute sunk 15. Liude Kakembo shot 13 points and Martin Mugambai added 12 for the students.
Umoja were up 30-22 at the break before going on to beat Mennonites 65-49. Joseph Dibondo scored 14, Makin Freeman and Gilbert Obiero each scored 13 points for Umoja. The losers had 11 from Dennis Kiboe and 10 from Felix Odhiambo
In Mombasa, reigning men champions Kenya Ports Authority whipped Zetech University at the Makande hall while Ulinzi Warriors lost 61-57 to Nakuru Club at Menengai High School. In the lower division matches, 4-Christ preyed on Little Prince 62-60, behind 21 points each from Ibrahim Yuol and Daniel Imbali. William Kioko led the losers with 21 and Victor Sege provided 16.
KCA University dismissed Don Bosco 43-40 as Lawrence Wandera nailed 13 and Alphonse Muchiri (12) for the winners. Joel Atebe pepped the losers with 14. Blazers good run continued as they clobbered Parklands Baptist 66-36. Deni Nyamichoba scored 16 points and Jay Michoma shot 11. The losers had 16 from Arnold Mulili.
KENYA Airports Authority sunk Strathmore University 70-65 in a Premier League clash at Nyayo Stadium. The students trailed 24-30 at the breather and never recovered. Luka Lukongo managed 18 points and Billy Ongute sunk 15. Liude Kakembo shot 13 points and Martin Mugambai added 12 for the students.
Umoja were up 30-22 at the break before going on to beat Mennonites 65-49. Joseph Dibondo scored 14, Makin Freeman and Gilbert Obiero each scored 13 points for Umoja. The losers had 11 from Dennis Kiboe and 10 from Felix Odhiambo
In Mombasa, reigning men champions Kenya Ports Authority whipped Zetech University at the Makande hall while Ulinzi Warriors lost 61-57 to Nakuru Club at Menengai High School. In the lower division matches, 4-Christ preyed on Little Prince 62-60, behind 21 points each from Ibrahim Yuol and Daniel Imbali. William Kioko led the losers with 21 and Victor Sege provided 16.
KCA University dismissed Don Bosco 43-40 as Lawrence Wandera nailed 13 and Alphonse Muchiri (12) for the winners. Joel Atebe pepped the losers with 14. Blazers good run continued as they clobbered Parklands Baptist 66-36. Deni Nyamichoba scored 16 points and Jay Michoma shot 11. The losers had 16 from Arnold Mulili.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/kaa-run-over-strathmore-students-tight-premier-league-match-nyayo#sthash.c5mSAgqz.dpuf
KENYA Airports Authority sunk Strathmore University 70-65 in a Premier League clash at Nyayo Stadium. The students trailed 24-30 at the breather and never recovered. Luka Lukongo managed 18 points and Billy Ongute sunk 15. Liude Kakembo shot 13 points and Martin Mugambai added 12 for the students.
Umoja were up 30-22 at the break before going on to beat Mennonites 65-49. Joseph Dibondo scored 14, Makin Freeman and Gilbert Obiero each scored 13 points for Umoja. The losers had 11 from Dennis Kiboe and 10 from Felix Odhiambo
In Mombasa, reigning men champions Kenya Ports Authority whipped Zetech University at the Makande hall while Ulinzi Warriors lost 61-57 to Nakuru Club at Menengai High School. In the lower division matches, 4-Christ preyed on Little Prince 62-60, behind 21 points each from Ibrahim Yuol and Daniel Imbali. William Kioko led the losers with 21 and Victor Sege provided 16.
KCA University dismissed Don Bosco 43-40 as Lawrence Wandera nailed 13 and Alphonse Muchiri (12) for the winners. Joel Atebe pepped the losers with 14. Blazers good run continued as they clobbered Parklands Baptist 66-36. Deni Nyamichoba scored 16 points and Jay Michoma shot 11. The losers had 16 from Arnold Mulili.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/kaa-run-over-strathmore-students-tight-premier-league-match-nyayo#sthash.c5mSAgqz.dpuf

19 April 2015

TANZANIA : Jeshi Stars clinch women basketball title

JESHI Stars outplayed their rivals JKT Stars 67-42, to clinch the National Women’s Basketball Championship title at the National Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Friday evening.
Faraja Malaki scored 20 points at the final to steer her team glory of the annual women tournament, organised by the Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) and sponsored by CRDB.
The RBA League champions JKT Stars could not confirm their supremacy and were struggling to match their opponent’s tactics. Jeshi Stars started the game on a good rhythm, taking a 22-5 lead in the first quarter, before going to breathe 38-17 ahead.
With quality, offensive and good display, Jeshi Stars added 18-13 in the third quarter but slightly lost steam in the final quarter, in which they added only 11 points against 12 of their rivals, to register a victory.
Other top contributors for Jeshi Stars included Joyce Midodi with 15 points, as Veronica Patrick and tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Orin Titus, scored 12 and 10 points respectively.
Doritha Mbunda put up 14 points for JKT in the loss, while Lulu Joseph and Mwajuma Shabaan hit 10 and 8 points respectively.
Magreti Nicolaus of Vijana Queens was voted the tournament’s best defender and best scorer was Dawa Haji of JKU and they were awarded 100,000/- each, while MVP Titus was awarded 150,000/-.
In the third place playoff match, JKU of Zanzibar registered a massive 106-54 win over Vijana Queens. The tournament that started last week brought together seven teams with JKU being the only team from Zanzibar.
Chief guest Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children, Sophia Simba, commended JKU and said their participation help in strengthening the Union.
The minister said that Tanzania was capable of building a strong women team, but TBF will need support from sponsors and wellwishers to fulfil that mission.
“It is time for sponsors to look at other sports like basketball and assist initiative that TBF has been putting in place to develop women.”
She also presented trophy, medals and cash prizes to the winners. TBF Women’s Commission Chairperson, Angela Bondo, said that the event aimed at promoting ladies basketball in the country and thanked all teams and sponsors for making it possible.

TANZANIA : JKT Stars Reach Basketball Semis


JKT Stars stormed into the National Women's Basketball Championship semifinals after mauling Lord Baden Powell 66-37 at the National Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday evening.
JKT topped Group B to set a semi-final showdown against JKU of Zanzibar who finished second in Group A. The two teams were in action last evening. RBA League champions JKT Stars were too strong for Lord Baden Powell.
They dominated the game from the start and piled up 19 points against their opponents' nine in the first quarter before leading 41-23 at the breather.
The defeat confirmed Lord Baden Powell's exit from the championship, while giants JKT and Vijana advanced to the semi-finals from the group. Asha Chege posted 14 points for the winners, while Penina Mahunga and Nelly Anyingisye added 13 and 12 points respectively.
Anyingisye also had eight assists. JKU went through with a 58-11 victory over Kurasini Queens at the same ground. In another match, Ukonga Queens suffered a painful 92-31 defeat to Jeshi Stars.
A slow start in the first quarter cost Ukonga Queens dearly as they allowed Jeshi Stars to record their third consecutive win and top Group A.
Ukonga Queens found themselves in the middle of problems after they went down 19-17 in the opening quarter and were 43-19 down at the interval.
Jeshi Stars continued to dominate the game after half-time to lead 26-6 in the third quarter and were ahead 32-6 in the last.
Faraja Malaki scored 24 points for Jeshi Stars, while Nyandare Bairu had 15 points. The Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) Women's Commission Chairperson, Angela Bondo, said all is set for today's final.
She added that the Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children, Sophia Simba, is expected to be the chief guest. The TBF-organised championship, which started over the weekend, brought together seven teams

UGANDA : City Oilers overcome resilient UCU Canons | National Basketball League


Daniel Jukko connected six 3-pointers as City Oilers beat UCU Canons at YMCA Daniel Jukko connected six 3-pointers as City Oilers beat UCU Canons at YMCA
UCU Canons 56-64 City Oilers
Under normal circumstances, the Canons – Oilers rescheduled game wouldn’t have been played on Saturday night because of the slippery surface of the YMCA out door court – but the game went ahead anyway.
City Oilers held off UCU Canons’ resurgence in the third quarter and at the start of the final quarter for a 64-56 win behind Kami Kabange’s game high 20 points and 13 rebounds – the first again the university side in the regular season.
The Canons (1-1) who matched Oilers (3-0) in the opening period barely did anything offensively as the defending champions stretched their lead to as big as 14 points.
UCU rallied back with a quick in the third quarter with a quick out burst from Brian Namake (12 points) and Innocent Odur (15 points) to go into the fourth trailing 46-49. The Canons started with the same energy in the fourth quarter and went ahead 51-49 but 13 unanswered points from Oilers put away the university side for good.
Daniel Jukko contributed 18 points connecting 6-of-8 from deep and Jimmy Enabu chipped in with 12 points fro City Oilers.
City Oilers will face Falcons in their next game on Friday night while UCU Canons will face fellow university out fit Ndejje on Sunday.

UGANDA : Power return to action as Angels visit Our Saviour

KAMPALA.
Power have dominated the opening week of the National Basketball league; the basketball club having forfeiting four points after refusing to honour a rescheduled game against City Oilers following a power blackout.
None of the two scenarios are expected at YMCA court today when the club return to action against Diamond In The Sun (DITS).
The power outage issue is rarely a concern at the venue unlike at Lugogo while you cannot see the club refusing to honour today’s game.
The weather, like was the case during the Oilers-UCU game on Friday.
Aside from that, Power will be favourites to pick their first win against a DITS side that was overrun 81-66 by Warriors on Wednesday.
Our Saviour also losers on the same day 69-57 to KIU return to action against Ndejje in what could be the first game for 7 ft 3 center Martial Dhal.
FRIDAY RESULT
Ladies
UCU 56:52 Stormers
Games at YMCA today
Bush Court vs. Charging Rhino
Our Saviour vs. Ndejje Univ. Angels
Tiger Head Power vs. Diamond In The Sun
Ladies
KCCA Leopards vs. Gladiators

RWANDA : Basketball league: UR-CASS lose ninth game in eleven

Today
APR vs Rusizi 9am (Kacyiru)
UR-CASS vs 30-Plus 11am (Huye)
IPRC-South vs Espoir 11am (Huye)
UR-CoE vs Patriots 11am (Amahoro)
Saturday
Men
UR-CASS 49-62 IPRC-South
Women
UR-CASS 21-25 IPRC-South
The Hoops Rwanda 51-57 Ubumwe
UNIVERSITY Of Rwanda College of Arts and Social Sciences (UR-CASS) lost 49-61 to IPRC-South in the national basketball league yesterday. It was UR-CASS’s ninth defeat in 11 games this season.
League newcomers IPRC-South, who host reigning champions Espoir BC in Huye this morning, claimed the first quarter 18-14 but lost the second one 15-13 to go into half-time break leading 31-29.
But Didier Bineza’s IPRC- South side returned for the final two quarters more energetic and overpowered their opponents 11-07 and 20-13 respectively thanks to 19-year old shooting guard Patrick Ngabonziza and Congolese-born powerful forward Yesman Bushiri.
The Huye-based varsity side that has only managed to win against Rusizi and University of Rwanda College of Education (UR- CoE) so far, face fellow stragglers, 30-Plus this morning at Huye campus gymnasium hoping to notch a third victory, according to head coach Charles Mushumba.
In the women’s league, defending champions Ubumwe BC defeated The Hoops Rwanda 57-51 while IPRC-South won 25-21 over UR-CASS.
Meanwhile, Patriots BC amassed free points for a walk-over at the expense of United Basketball Generation (UGB) after the latter failed to turn up for the scheduled game at NPC gymnasium on Friday evening.

KENYA : Maseno School dethrone Upper Hill in tough basketball final

Maseno’s Dwayne Oluoch (right) gets past Upper Hill’s Ernest Ogutu  during yesterday’s final match on April 18, 2015. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH |
Maseno’s Dwayne Oluoch (right) gets past Upper Hill’s Ernest Ogutu during yesterday’s final match on April 18, 2015. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH |   NATION MEDIA GROUP

 By Francis Mureithi
More by this Author Half a basket steered high-flying Maseno to beat defending champions Upper Hill 46-45 in basketball final at the secondary schools national Term One games at Nakuru Boys High School on Saturday
Upper Hills’s Joshua Olang will rue this match for a long time to come as he squandered two free throws with three seconds remaining that would have seen them carry the day. With Maseno leading 46-45 in the last quarter, Olang was fouled as he was just about to dunk in the final point.
Taking the two free throws that would have sealed the fate for the Lake region representatives, a visibly tensed Olang saw the ball twice hit the ring and bounce back to play.
Jubillant Maseno fans then poured into court in celebration at the final whistle, their towering coach and principal Paul Otula bending on his knees to acknowledge hugs from fans.
“This was indeed an uphill task for us and to have climbed over Upper Hill, this will go down as the toughest assignment I have ever handled as Maseno coach,” said Otula.
Upper Hill looked set to continue their dominance into the second year running as they grabbed the first quarter at 13-6.
However, in the second quarter things thicken for the Metropolitan representatives as Maseno flourished holding their opponents at 8-8.
On resumption Maseno played a composed game as they carried the third quarter at 23-15. The fourth quarter saw the match live up to its well predicted mouthwatering clash as the lead kept changing before Maseno carried the day.
Maseno’s Dwayne Olouch had a game high of 14 points assisted by Amos Aduke with eight points. Upper Hill’s Ater Isaih scored 14 points assisted by John Ajak (12).
In a third play off Kapenguria from Mau region beat St Georges from Coast 55-43.
In the girls finals, Shimba Hills retained the title when they buried St Brigids (Nzoia region) 74-36. In the play offs, St Marys Mabera from Lake region beat Parklands Arya (Metropolitan) 37-34.

KENYA : Upper Hill keep pace with Otula’s boys in basketball at Nakuru

Kevin  Mwendwa of Upper hill school  during the basketball finals of the Metropolitan region term one games at  Upper hill school on March 28, 2015. The Paul Otula-coached Maseno will take on defending champions Upper Hill from Metropolitan in an explosive final showdown on April 18, 2015. FILE PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP Kevin Mwendwa of Upper hill school during the basketball finals of the Metropolitan region term one games at Upper hill school on March 28, 2015. The Paul Otula-coached Maseno will take on defending champions Upper Hill from Metropolitan in an explosive final showdown on April 18, 2015.By Francis Mureithi
More by this Author
Ater Isaa tallied 23 points and a dozen rebounds in boys’ basketball as defending champions Upper Hill kept alive their hopes of retaining the title with a 79 – 37 victory over Alliance in the secondary schools Term One national games entered the third day at Nakuru Boys High School on Thursday.
Following their victory Upper Hill (Metropolitan region), under coach Ben Olouch, have now booked a date with St George’s (Coast) in the semi finals. Against Upper Hill, Alliance started on a sound note and held off an early Upper Hill surge to restrict the winners to a slim 17-15 win in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Upper Hill exploded and took the game to Alliance’s backyard and went on to clinch the quarter at 15-6.
Upon resumption, a well-oiled Upper Hill dominated their opponents with superb dribbling and tight marking which saw them win 16-4 before sealing the fate of Alliance with an empathic 31- 12 victory in the final quarter. Ochieng Ombee led Alliance with 10 points and while teammate Martin Bulama scored a three-pointer.
In another match, high-flying Maseno sailed into the semis when they outplayed rookies Wajir Boys 122-7 in one-sided encounter.
Paul Otula-coached Maseno led 67-5 at the interval, with Dennis Kibichi scoring a game-high 24 points, assisted by Wesley Gode (12). Wajir scored seven points through Abdinasir Rashid.
Kapenguria High School qualified for the semi-finals when they eliminated Mau Region representatives Menengai High School of Nakuru 58-29. Earlier, St George’s from Coast region thumped Kathungi from Highland region 81- 33 to finish runners-up in pool ‘B’.
Shimba Hills from Coast region qualified for girls’ semis after outplaying Kiriagara Girls (Highlands) 96- 12 to book a date with St Mary’s Mabera of Lake region.
St Brigids who narrowly beat St Marys Mabara 47-46 in the last match will now take on Parklands Arya from Metropolitan in the second semi-final match. Parklands reached the semis after hitting Loreto Girls (Aberdares) 51-31.

18 April 2015

RWANDA : Espoir keen to extend winning run

photo
A 30-Plus Point Guard in action during a previous league game. 30 plus take on IPRC-Kigali at Amahoro indoor stadium. (Sam Ngendahimana)
Today
Men
UR-Huye         vs       IPRC-South (Campus Huye)
IPRC-Kigali     vs       30 Plus (Amahoro)
CSK                   vs       UR-CE (CSK)
Espoir               vs       Rusizi (Amahoro)
Women
UR-Huye         vs       IPRC-South (Campus Huye)
The Hoops Rwanda Girls    vs     Ubumwe (Amahoro)
National Basketball league leaders Espoir take on newcomers Rusizi on Saturday at Amahoro Indoor Stadium seeking to make it nine wins in ten games.
Espoir, which is top of the table, has only lost one game this season against IPRC Kigali.  Rusizi is in 10th place on national basketball league table with 11 points.
“The players are determined not only to win the match on Saturday, but also the other league games.  Our goal is to go on a winning run to give us a chance at the league title,” Espoir coach Jean Bahufite said.
In other games, UR-Huye will host IPRC-South; IPRC-Kigali will meet 30 Plus BBC at Amahoro while Circle Sportif de Kigali will play UR-CE at Circle Sportif de Kigali
In the women’s basketball league, UR-Huye will take on IPRC-South, The Hoops Rwanda Girls (a select youth U-16 team) will play against Ubumwe at Amahoro indoor stadium.

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