Basketball in Africa

Ebun Comets basketball club of Lagos Saturday at the Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos proved bookmakers wrong when it posted a 58-50 points victory over Customs basketball club.

Many basketball pundits had predicted a hard game for the Coach Ayo Bakare wards due to the young nature of the team but the lads confronted their much experienced opponent that parades some of the most experienced players in the league by winning three of the four quarters (09-06, 11-10, 12-18 and 26-16) to send a warning signal to other team who might want to doubt their ability and capability to do well in the league this season.

The game had started with both sides being cautious with Customs forward Lucky Abubakar recording the first basket, a three pointer in the 8th minutes of the first quarter but the lead was cut short by rampaging Comets shooting guard Rasheed Bello who replied with same points to even scores, the young Comets team comprises players who are having their first feel of what it takes to play at the premier league level went on to cut the Customs players to size with beautiful moves.

Rookie, Frank Benjamin-Eze was a delight to watch, the 6 foot 11 inches tall center picked up valuable rebounds for the former Nigeria king of the Court.

Customs points guard Daniel Dawodu was the shining star in the Customs fold little wonder when he end the encounter with 14 points and 2 rebounds the lad who is from a basketball family played one of his best game in many season but with little support to compliment his effort.

Comets stand-in captain Rasheed Bello led his team on the scorers chart with 16 points 7 rebounds followed by energetic Okechukwu Anonye who contributed 12 points and 9 rebounds, returning guard Michael Ohiero added 10 points and 3 rebounds while rookie Benjamin-Eze had 9 points and 8 rebounds to his credit.

Technical Director of the Nigeria Basketball Federation Dr. Adamu Ahmed says the commencement of proceeding Saturday was a big relief for the federation, sponsor and all stakeholders.

He promised the cancelled road trip for this season would return next season, which he says, would commence in October/November this year.

Dr. Ahmed avered that the present League Advisory Committee will transform into the much talked about league committee that will see to the day-to-day running of the league while the NBBF board will only serve as meeting point for the game.

Four matches are on the billing today (Sunday) with two each holding in each of the conferences (Atlantic and Savannah).

In the Atlantic conference visiting Delta Force basketball club of Asaba will confront rejuvenated Lagos Islanders basketball club while Union Bank basketball club and Dodan Warriors basketball will lock horn in a local derby.

The two Savannah conference games will take place at the Sports Hall of the Kano Stadium with AHIP Giant taking to the court first against Plateau Peaks in what promises to be a repeat of what was witnesse in the encounter between Comets and Customs as the AHIP team parades a bunch young and inexperience players but will rely on gut and determination to upstaged their much experience guest from Jos.

The second encounter will be between Kano Pillars and Yelwa Hawks from bauchi.

Customs roster for the encounter
4. Daniel Dawodu
5.Muhna Morrison
6. Samson John
7. Tony Wuyep
8. Harry Francis
9. Lucky Abubakar
10. Andrew Ananin
11. Jabiu Lawal
12. Orji Leonard
13. Borokini Dare
14. Emeka Okenwa
15. Gambo Usman

Comets roster for the encounter
4. Michael Ohiero
5. Abdulwahab Yakubu
6. Deji Egbeyemi
7. Rashhed Bello
9. Orseer Ikyator
11. Okechukwu Anonye
13. Malik Tella
14. Frank Benjamin-Eze
15. George Ehiagwina

By Seinde Ikuesan