Basketball in Africa

MAXIFIX PROSS finally suffered their first defeat of the second half of the Harare Basketball Association league when they fell 89-54 to Kingdom Cavaliers in a match at the University of Zimbabwe at the weekend.

Cavaliers' Fungai Matsika led his side to the destruction of Pross coming out of the game as the top scorer. Matsika helped his team to victory with 19 points and Blessing Chidumu contributed 11 points while team-mate Taurai Chitsinde weighed in with 15 points. The win ensured that Cavaliers stayed within reach of the championship as they are only two points behind leaders Cameo who have so far collected 38 points. Cavaliers are on third position with 36 points from 20 outings -- a place behind Jewels who have 37 points and also have a game in hand.

Pross responded through Steve Mudawarima who scored 16 points while Brian Karemba and Tonderai Murimwa scored 12 and eight points respectively. Across town at Richwood Park, Addison Chiware's Jewels were also in top form as they went on to defeat Mufakose Hawks 67-33. Simbarashe Murama led Jewels to a memorable victory top scoring with 23 points while the hardworking Artwell Dzikiti, who was active in picking up rebounds in both d efensive and offensive, added 13 points. Former Giants player Michael Banda, who joined the team three weeks ago, found himself scoring 15 points. But life was not the same for Hawks who found the going tough as none of the players managed to score double figures.

Results A-League: Faithwear Jammers 51, Gentlemen's Association 59; All Stars 20, Black Rhinos 0; Golden Spurs 69, Highdon Raiderz 89; Jewels 67, Mufakose Hawks 33; Mbare Bulls 25, Cameo 111; Celtics 76, Golden Spurs 57; Varsity Leopards 59, UZ Stars 37; Kingdom Cavaliers 89, Maxifix Pross 54. B-League: Airforce Falcons 42, Sigauke 46; Pistons 95, Nuggets 65; City Wolves 31, Crocodiles 24; Nyamidzi Blazes 20, Mufakose Hawks 0; Kingdom Cavaliers 0, Stormers 20; Richwood 20, Pistons 0. Women: Kingdom Cavaliers 63, Stormers 32; Jewels 90, Mufakose Hawks 24; UZ Stars 33, Kingdom Cavaliers 44.

By Paul Munyuki