Basketball in Africa

By Mogomotsi Moloi
Francistown

Marvin Griffith, chairman and senior player for Flames Basketball Club has expressed hope that his team would perform better this weekend when they host M. Club and Sonics respectively at BDF Donga camp courts.

He told Mmegi Sport yesterday that the team is doing extremely well though this is its first time in the elite league. The Francistown boys are eighth in the 16-team league and this gives them hope for better things to come. "This weekend's games are going to be a bit tough but we would try our best. We have been preparing very well for the whole of this week," Griffith said.

Though he admits that their opponents have been in the game for a long time, he says this is no big deal as current form is what counts. He added that he had been impressed by the overall performance of his boys so far. He is optimistic of building a very strong side. Since the league started, Flames have been blowing hot and cold air but Griffith feels that eventually, they would end in a better position when the competition ends in mid July. "Probably we would go for the top eight tournament if we could maintain the same performance," he said.

In other games billed for this weekend Splinters of BDF Don ga lock horns with Eagles before they take M. Club. During the Sir Seretse Khama Day on Monday, Flames would again have to prove their worth in the league when they take on Cadets at SSKB courts. The game is expected to produce fire works because Cadets would not like to be embarrassed by novices. On the other hand Flames are out to prove a point. Cadets are one of the dominant teams in local basketball.

At the SSKB on Monday, Falcons clash with BDF V. In the last fixture of the long weekend, Police V take on Sonics. Flames have sent a stem warning to all their opponents this weekend that they would be spitting fire.