Basketball in Africa

Champions steal march on rivals in tense match

Results
Marines 64 Power 58
Lead series 2-0
Bucks 59 Leopards 49
Lead series 2-0
Crane High 55 KCC Lions 65
UCU 59 Riders 45


SADOLIN Power put up tough resistance but it was not enough to save them from defeat against Nkumba Marines yesterday in game two of the MTN Basketball League best of five final play-off series at YMCA Wandegeya courts.

The 2000 champions lost the first two quarters 12-14, 12-18 respectively but almost finished the third with a 50-47 lead had it not been Moses Olobo's three-pointer at the buzzer that leveled the scores at 50 apiece.

Marines snatched away the win in the fourth quarter 14-8 but the game was tightly contested.
Kenyan import Michael Karuiki with 16 points, Richard Balemwa (15) and Mark Enabu were the top scorers for Power.

Reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Norman Blick collected a game high 18 points including 3 shoots outside the arc while his brother Donald grabbed 15 to win 64-58.

Marines now lead the series 2-0 and can wrap up the championship on Sunday with victory in game three.
Power fear a repeat of last years finals in which they lost the best of five series 0-3, but their big name players have simply failed to make an impact.

Ken Balyejjusa posted only two points while Wilbrod Oketcho had only two points.
In the girls final, Lady Bucks kept on track with a 59-49 win over pre-season favourites KCC Leopards. Frances Nabulobi had a game high 20 points, Judith Akoth picked up12 and former MVP Flavia Oketcho 9 for Lady Bucks.

For Leopards, Linda Tamale garnered 15 and Miriam Hamala 10 but have one chance to save their title hopes.

By Dann O’were

Kenya Ports Authority’s (KPA’s) poor show in the Africa Feminine Club Basketball Championships in Libreville, Gabon, should be blamed on lack of seriousness.

Results from the continental event proved that KPA, the national champions, took things for granted. The technical bench and the club officials should have known that the team required serious preparation prior to competing in a tournament of such magnitude.

KPA finished fourth in the last championships held in Dakar, Senegal, last year and were expected to do better this year.

Pooled in group A, the porters started their campaign on a sad note, losing 59-48 to Somo of Gabon before squeezing a narrow 62-57 win over ISPU of Mozambique.

They then fell 64-84 to Inter of Angola and 42-70 to First Bank of Nigeria before winding up their tour with a meaningless 72-60 win over Arc Ciel of DR Congo.

During the Dakar event, Gladys Wanyama led the scoring chart with 88 points, but she found the going tough in Gabon.

What happened to internationals Mirriam Awuor and Milicent Anyango? Or could it be the change of clubs by Caroline Arato from Telkom a week to the championships?

Africa championships have proved to be tough events and inexperienced teams stand no chance of making it, unless of course they have a Lisa Leslie or Lauren Jackson.

Antony Ojukwu and Sammy Wanjohi knew the magnitude of the tournament yet they played no meaningful friendlies as part of their build-up.

The truth is, they were not ready for the event, and that they have learnt the lesson the hard way. KPA have the resources,and they would have recruited well for the show.

KCB Lions are headed for Lagos, Nigeria, for the Masculine Club Championships. Their performance on the local scene is worse compared to that of KPA and one wonders whether their trip to Nigeria is worth it.

If it is, we will see during the November 17-26 competition.

There are fears that Lions will have it rough because the standard of men’s championships will be higher than the women’s.

Pool B teams in the Gabon event were Primero of Angola, Ferroviaro of Mozambique, ABC of Ivory Coast, Djoliba of Mali, Hatari of DR Congo and Dolphins of Nigeria.

By Dann O’were

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) won their last African Feminine Championships when they beat Arc en Ciel of DR Congo 72-60 in Libreville, Gabon.

The match, played on Thursday, was the porters’ last of a competitive five-game fixtures. They were knocked out of the tournament’s quarter-finals on goal aggregate.

KPA took 14 players, including two school girls, to the continental event and found out the going was rough from start. They won two games and lost three.

The pool B was won by former champions and favourites First Bank of Nigeria. Angola’s Inter, Somo of Gabon, ISPU of Mozambique all finished ahead of KPA who were ahead of Arc.

Meanwhile, champions Predators face off against Catholic Dream Team (CDT) in the finals of Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) at Railways Club today.

The match to be played in the best-of-three series is expected to be a cracker considering that CDT have been promoted to the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women’s Premier League.

Win or lose, CDT, a self-sponsored team from Kayole, are assured of a move from the provincial league since Predators declined to climb up.

Valentine Apondi, Predators’ leading scorer, will need the help from Dorothy Ouko, Emily Ongoro, Jenniffer Ashihundu and Josephine Nabwire if they are to win back to back title.

But the six-person team, led by the evergreen Dorah Achieng, Gloria Irampa, Quinter Ramogi, Evelyne Mayobo, Kate Olang and Doreen Araka are going for nothing short of an upset.

"We will go there and fight against those teams in the premiership. I am sure we will make it up there."

said the team’s key guard and treasurer, Mayobo.

The men’s finals series ended easily as Runda captured the title when they humiliated Kenya Polytechnic 2-0 (79-45, 78-69) behind Ben Oluoch’s 55 and 35 from Ken Ondiek.

THE Harare Basketball Association League is finally going to start this weekend albeit on a low note as less than half the clubs have paid the annual affiliation fees, writes Paul Munyuki.

Eighteen teams -- six men's A League teams, four B League teams and eight women's teams - have managed to pay the affiliation fees of $12 000 per team for the 2006/7 season.

This has forced the HBA to fixture only the teams that have paid the affiliation and player registration fees.

The men's teams include Varsity Leopards, Golden Spurs, UZ Stars, CBZ (formerly Jewels), Highdon Raiderz, Kingdom Cavaliers SCB Stormers and City Wolves.

The B League teams that have met the HBA requirements are newboys Chitungwiza Blades, Panthers, Drifters and Roderick Takawira's Sigauke.

But the women's teams have shown more dedication for the game as eight of the 10 teams have paid up their affiliation fees and sent in their player registration forms.

Varsity Leopards, newcomers Stanbic Mavericks, SCB Stormers, UZ Stars, Chitungwiza Blades, Panthers, Real Retainers, and Highdon Raiderz have paid up as well.

HBA administrator Simon Lawson said the games will have to go on this weekend though there are few teams that will take part.

"The league was originally set to have started but because the teams had not submitted their affiliation fees and player registration fees the games were delayed.

"But we can not keep on postponing the resumption of the league and that is the reason why at the moment we decided to fixture the teams that have paid their dues.

"As for now the teams that have not yet paid will not play until we convene a council meeting.

"The executive is scheduled to meet tonight (last night) and they will decide when to hold the meeting," said Lawson.

Today
Lady Bucks vs KCC Leopards 5 p.m.
Marines vs Power 7 p.m.
Results
UCU Mukono 68 Knight Riders 59
KCC Lions 47 Crane High 65

Sadolin Power will be seeking to avoid a repeat of last season's performance when they take on defending champions Nkumba University Marines in game one of the best of five MTN Basketball League final play-off series today at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.
Last year Power had an experience to forget, going down easily in three straight games.

Ken Balyejusa and Wilbrod Oketcho have made a timely return to boost Power as they chase the trophy that has eluded them for four seasons. Kenyan import Michael Karuiki will combine with Oketcho in the Power frontcourt.

Marines go into the final with confidence having beaten Falcons, the best team in the regular season. Marines' advantage is that they have come to believe in teamwork other than individual skill. They deposed Falcons with their best player Norman Blick seated on the bench for the biggest part due to foul trouble.

Donald Blick, Salim Ali, Boniface Okello, Karl Mugalu and Carrol Bisereko have formed one of the most entertaining combinations in the league.
Seven-time champions Lady Bucks take on KCC Leopards in the women's final. It’s Leopards' first appearance in the final and they will look up to Linda Tamale, Becky Akullo and Miriam Hamala.

Kenya Ports Authority suffered their heaviest defeat in the ongoing Africa women's club championship when they went down 70-42 to First Bank of Nigeria on Wednesday.

First Bank of Nigeria their last opponents in group B beat them 70-42 in a one sided match condemning the Kenyans to lowest ebb in group B of the championships whose finals will be played on Sunday.

"We were simply outclassed," KPA team Manager Edward Oduorsaid. The game was, however, a formality after the dockers lost to Inter-Club from Angola 64-84.

Oduor said the players had learned some lessons from the tournament that would help them in future.

"The standards here were quite high and it may be needed devine intervention for us to finish within the medal brackets," Oduor said .

First Bank coach Adewunmi Aderemi said everything had gone according to plan and that they played a relaxed game against KPA as the wait for the knockout stages today and tomorrow.

"We played easy against KPA since out aim was to top the group which we have managed and hope that we will maintain the tempo to return to the top of Africa basketball which was our goal," he said.

First Bank who won the continental championships in 2003 when the games were held in Mozambique and finished third in 2004 and 2005.

KPA, who were beaten 84-64 by Inter-Club of Angola in their third match have only managed one win at the championships which has attracted 12 teams from eight countries.

"We have done everything possible to ensure that we return to the number one position in Africa women basketball," coach Aderemi said.

The Nigeria women club champion, got off to a good start with a 57-53 points win over Angolan Inter-Club.

In other matches, Nigeria second representative, Dolphins basketball club were not so lucky as they went down to another Angolan team Primero by 61-53 points.

In other results, ABC of Ivory Coast posted a surprise win over defending champion Djoliba of Mali beating them 56-47 points

It was a double victory for Mozambican teams as Ferroviaro posted a 59-47 points win over Hatari of DR Congo while ISPU beat Arc En Ciel of DR Congo 74-60.

Dolphins from Nigerian later brightened its chances with a 76-74 win over defending champion Djoliba of Mali.

Kenya Ports Authority women's basketball team suffered a humiliating 84-64 defeat at the hands of Inter-Club of Angola in their third match of the 12th Edition of the African club championships in Libreville, Gabon on Tuesday.

The loss virtually locks them out of contention for the title after having suffering another loss to Somo "B" of Gabon who beat them 57-48 in the opening match.

The remaining match against group leaders First Bank of Nigerian yesterday was to be a mare formality. Victory could only guarantee fourth place in the group.

Against Inter-Club, it was again the experience of international Caroline Arato which saved the day for the Kenyans as she scored a game high 21 points to reduce the margin in this game which KPA trailed throughout.

First Bank who won the continental championships in 2003 and finished third in 2004 and last year, have stressed that they want to settle for nothing short of the trophy.

According to First Bank coach Adewunmi Aderemi, the target of the club this time is to return to the top of Africa women's basketball. having been there once and finishing third twice.

"We have done everything possible to ensure that we return to the number one position in Africa women basketball."

Aderemi who spoke to the Daily Nation on telephone from Gabon said he has the right players to do the job this time round adding that the challenges his team faced at the recently concluded final of Nigeria league has given his players enough preparation.

The Nigeria women's club champion, got off to a good start with a 57-53 points win over Angolan inter-club basketball club.The Adewumi Aderemi and Sola Ogunade coached Elephant Girls were trailing the Angola by 28-26 points at halftime but came back forcefully into the remaining two quarters to snatch victory which now brighten their chances of progressing to the semi-final in group-A.

In other matches, Nigeria second representative, Dolphins basketball club were not so lucky as they went down to another Angolan team Primero by 61-53 points.

Other results of matches played so far saw ABC of Cote d'Ivoire post a surprise 56-47 win over defending champion Djoliba of Mali. It was a double victory for Mozambican teams as Ferroviario posted a 59-47 points win over Hatari of DR Congo while ISPU beat Arc en Ciel of DR Congo 74-60.

DID Premium Cobras forget that Baya had beaten them in the group match of the Top-of-the-table tournament or did they play their final when they beat PLS Hawks in the semifinal over-time win? Or even better, have Baya themselves matured as a team under coach Michel Malbrook?

It is up to his players to prove this after Baya beat Premium Cobras 80-76 in the Men’s division 1A final on Saturday October 21 at the Palais des Sports. Baya deserve their victory, just like Anse Etoile Stars who were a par above Mont Fleuri whom they scorched 85-34 to succeed Bel Air as Women’s champions and LMS Jazz who edged Juniors 64-62 in the Men’s division 1A/2 final.

Baya, Cobras’ bogey team

With a starting five of left-handed playmaker Bernard Cherry, Michael Cupidon, Giovanni Laval, captain Dave Roseline and Robert Léon, Baya brought the game to Premium Cobras early on and they played on a par with the League champions who won the opening quarter 14-12.

After Andy Lespoir gave Baya a two-point lead at 18-16 with 2 minutes 34 seconds (2:34) played in the second quarter, Premium Cobras went dry for 4:14 and Baya used a 19-4 run to outscore them 25-6 in the second 10-minute spell and go for the break with a healthy 17-point advantage (37-20).

On a Roseline steal which he turned into a basket on a lay-up, Baya led 41-20 with just over a minute played in the third quarter, but then it was the turn of Tanzanian Abdallah ‘Dulla’ Ramadhan, who had remained silent in the first half, to take the game in his hands. He netted 15 of his team-high 23 points in the third frame, cutting Baya’s lead to 11 points – 55-44 – at the start of the fourth and final quarter.

Even though coach Malbrook told his players during a time-out that it was not the time to get disorganised, on the court everything Baya had built in the first 30 minutes looked like going up in flames and their hope of handing Premium Cobras a first defeat in four final showdowns between the two teams looked slim.

Despite missing skipper James Beier, their go-to-guy in the semifinal win against PLS Hawks, Premium Cobras sent shivers down Baya’s back when Nigerian power forward Reuben Kolawole’s lay-up dropped with 2:38 played in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to one points – 57-56.

The game then developed into a cat-and-mouse affair, but Baya, although losing Michael Cupidon with five personal fouls, made sure they did not lose the lead at any time in the match as it could have proved costly.

With both teams over the foul limit, the game was to be won or lost on the foul line but Baya kept their cool to hit their free-throws and despite losing the final quarter 25-32, they won the match 80-76, avenging their 67-100 loss in last year’s final.

The players and supporters celebrated the team’s first ever win over Premium Cobras in a final after having lost the previous three, but more interestingly, Baya proved that they are the League champions’ bogey team with their second win against them in less than two weeks. Baya also lead 3-2 against Premium Cobras in the head-to-head record this season.

Centre Léon was the game’s top scorer with 26 points and he was helped in offence by Cupidon (16 points) and Roseline (13 points). As for Premium Cobras, other than ‘Dulla’, Kolawole (14 points) and Leny ‘Bad’ Aglaé (13 points) also scored in double figures.

Stars too strong for Mont Fleuri

Missing veteran Williana Dubois, who ironically brings a lot of speed and much-needed confidence to their game, Mont Fleuri had no one to push them to the limit as Anse Etoile Stars dominated the paint and ran their defence rugged. The 34-85 defeat was surely too much for skipper Tracey Moustache and her teammates to stomach, but they know that the Stars were much better than them on Saturday.

The Stars won the first two quarters 22-6 and 20-6 only for Mont Fleuri to fight back and edge them 17-16 in the third quarter.

With coach Malbrook asking his players to go for every ball and play a full-court press, Mont Fleuri were trapped in their own half and they turned the ball over, thus giving the Stars the opportunity to add to their tally. In fact, League champions Stars won the fourth quarter 27-5 and the mach 85-34.

Former Sportslady of the Year Simone Asba showed that she remains deadly beyond 3-point range, hitting six treys for 18 of her game-leading 30 points. Magdeline Julienne added 19 points and skipper Simone Malbrook 17.

Bernadette Songor was the only Mont Fleurian in double figures with 13 points.

LMS Jazz’s comeback win

LMS Jazz left it late against Men’s division two champions Juniors in a 64-62 victory and player/coach Allain Estro told Sports Nation that the win will “boost our morale for our decisive play-off encounter against Beau Vallon Heat.”

Runners-up in the Men’s division two league, LMS Jazz were on paper the weakest team among the four who participated in the Men’s division 1A/2 tournament, but they played their cards well against their soit disant tougher opponents.

Juniors led 32-20 at half-time but their advantage was trimmed to six points – 49-43 – at the end of the third quarter. Ten (10) consecutive points, including two treys, by Joel Barra with under four minutes left on the clock, gave LMS Jazz the lead at 60-59 and Hubert Suzette banked an important baseline jumper with 43 seconds remaining.

Juniors still had a chance to rescue the game but they hurried their shots, losing 62-64.
Barra was the game’s top scorer with 25 points, while Darrel Vidot and John Philoé added 16 and 15 apiece in Jazz’s win.

Kenny Magnan top-scored for Juniors with 20 points and Abdel Sylla added 18 including four slams.

What they said:

Allain Estro – LMS Jazz’s player/coach: “Juniors’ Abdel Sylla caused us a lot of problems in the first half and when we double-teamed him, he was quiet and we were able to get back into the match with an aggressive man-to-man press.”

Simone Malbrook – Anse Etoile Stars’ captain: “We expected a tougher match from Mont Fleuri but today they were just not the same team who used to play tough against us like in the other match-ups.”

Michel Malbrook – Baya’s coach: “I’m happy with the win. I never lost faith in my players even though Premium Cobras came back strongly in the second half. They persevered even though they were tired and they have now reaped the reward.”

KKL BASKETBALL: An MTN player aims for the basket in the game against Venture Communications that ended 12-12 on Saturday

NKUMBA Marines secured a second consecutive finals date against Sadolin Power after halting Falcons in the semi-final on Monday.

Salim Ali and Donald Blick made 13 and 12 points respectively as the national basketball defending champions cruised to a comfortable 66-53 victory in the decisive semi-final third game of the Yello Max Conference.

Marines, who defeated Power 3-0 in the best-of-five finals last year, justified their title-winning ambitions by limiting Falcons to a few missed outside shots.

Man-of-the-match Karol Bisereko collected 11 points, eight rebounds, five blocks and three steals for Marines.

Marines led 29-20 at half time and increased that margin with a 37-33 burst in the second half.

Sam Obol scored 12 points and Henry Malinga added 11 for the Falcons, who tripped at the penultimate stage yet again.

In the women's semi-final, Judith Akoth and Frances Nabulobi scored 18 points apiece for Lady Bucks as they advanced to the final. Lady Bucks will play KCC Leopards in the women's final.

Kenya Ports Authority face baptism of fire when they tackle unbeaten First Bank from Nigeria this morning in a decisive match as the Africa Cup women's championships enters crucial stages in Gabon.

KPA who were due to play Inter-Club of Angola in the last match of the day last evening must beat First Bank by all means if their dreams of reaching the last four i to be realised.First Bank, no doubt one of the best teams at the championships, are in no mood to lose to the Kenyans after beating Inter-Club 67-64 and Somo "B" of Gabon 68-64 to top pool "B".

Work extra hard

KPA who lost to Somo "B" 48-57 will have to work extra hard against the Nigerians who have vowed to beat defending champions Djoliba from Mali in the finals.

"It is going to be a tough match but we are prepared for it after watching the Nigerians play in the their other matches," team manager Edward Oduor said.

He said the players had now adjusted to the Gabon conditions and should therefore not have a big problem tackling their opponents.

KPA will once again rely on Caroline Arato, Ethel Wakesho, Miriam Awuor and Fadya Mohammed for points.

In other matches today, Dolphines from Nigeria take on ABC of Cote d'Ivoire, Ferroviario from Mozambique entertain Premiero de Agosto of Angola, while ISPU of Mozambique square it out with Inter-Club , Arc from Cote d'Ivoire take on Somo "B" while Djoliba take on Hatari from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

After losing their opening match 48-59 to hosts Somo "B" from Gabon, Kenya Ports Authority recovered to beat ISPU from Mozambique 62-57 in a tough African women's Championship game in Libreville, Gabon yesterday.

It was a sweet victory for the Kenya dockers who trailed in all the three quarters and took the lead only when it mattered the most in the last minutes of the game.

Miriam Awuor who top scored with 22 points scored the opening basket for KPA after the Mozambicans had taken a 5-0 lead.

Four more points from Gladys Wanyama and Caroline Arato helped the dockers to close the gap as ISPU led 8-6 .

The closely contested game saw KPA pile the pressure on their opponents in the second quarter trailing by only a point at 28-29 by the break.

A late rally by the dockers, who applied their traditional pressure defence, saw their opponents crack in the last quarter as they went ahead to win with a five points difference.

Speaking to the Daily Nation from Gabon, team manager Edward Oduor praised the players for a job well done and blamed the first defeat on the heavy rains.

"We are used to playing in indoor courts. Playing in an open roof court made life difficult for the ladies, a situation which was made worse by the heavy rains," Oduor said.

Personnell manager Salim Chingabwe who is leading the delegation said he had been impressed by the Kenyan performance so far. He singled out the organisation of the team as particularly outstanding. and predicted they will finish in a respectable position.

Title contenders

"We arrived in Gabon safely and it looks like the players have now adjusted to the conditions here. It makes me think that we are as good as title contenders," he said.

KPA return to the courts today for a match against Inter-Club from Angola from 4pm East African Standard time.

In other matches yesterday, defending champions Djoliba from Mali took on Ferroviario of Mozambique in the first match. This was immediately followed by the First Bank (Nigeria) v Arc (Cote d'Ivoire), Dolphins(Nigeria) v Hatari (DRC), Somo "B" v ISPU (Mozambique), ABC (Cote d'Ivoire) v Primiero de Agosto (Angola).

Results
Lubiri 80 Crane High 81
A-1 45 KCC Leopards 51
Warriors 54 Power 65

IMPATIENCE coupled with disarray in the last two minutes made sure Warriors bowed out at the semi-final stage of the MTN Basketball League for the second successive season after falling to Power on Sunday.

With two minutes left and scores at 51-57 in favour of Power, fans rallied behind Warriors but things were not going their way. Brian Gumisiriza's foul on Mark Enabu made matters worse for Warriors as Power got the chance to extend the lead by two points. From then on, Warriors lost the much-needed patience fouling both on offence and defence, something that helped Power pick six points on the charity line enroute to victory.

Enabu had a team high 18 points, Michael Karuiki 10, Richard Balemwa 8 and Wilbrod Oketcho 5 as Power got to their second final in a row.
Ronnie Kasewu's game high 23 points were not enough to see Warriors through as his teammates Brian Gumisiriza 11, Stephen Okias 5 and Nelson Wafula 4 failed to measure up to the task.
Power will now face either Falcons or Marines in the best of five finals beginning on Friday.

In the ladies category Miriam Hamala and Linda Tamale combined for 31 points to help KCC Leopards make their maiden appearance in the finals after defeating holders A-1 Challenge 51-45. The game was tightly contested until the last two minutes.

After losing their opening match 48-59 to hosts Somo "B" from Gabon, Kenya Ports Authority recovered to beat ISPU from Mozambique 62-57 in a tough African women's Championship game in Libreville, Gabon yesterday.

It was a sweet victory for the Kenya dockers who trailed in all the three quarters and took the lead only when it mattered the most in the last minutes of the game.

Miriam Awuor who top scored with 22 points scored the opening basket for KPA after the Mozambicans had taken a 5-0 lead.

Four more points from Gladys Wanyama and Caroline Arato helped the dockers to close the gap as ISPU led 8-6 .

The closely contested game saw KPA pile the pressure on their opponents in the second quarter trailing by only a point at 28-29 by the break.

A late rally by the dockers, who applied their traditional pressure defence, saw their opponents crack in the last quarter as they went ahead to win with a five points difference.

Speaking to the Daily Nation from Gabon, team manager Edward Oduor praised the players for a job well done and blamed the first defeat on the heavy rains.

"We are used to playing in indoor courts. Playing in an open roof court made life difficult for the ladies, a situation which was made worse by the heavy rains," Oduor said.

Personnel manager Salim Chingabwe who is leading the delegation said he had been impressed by the Kenyan performance so far. He singled out the organisation of the team as particularly outstanding. and predicted they will finish in a respectable position.

"We arrived in Gabon safely and it looks like the players have now adjusted to the conditions here. It makes me think that we are as good as title contenders," he said.

KPA return to the courts today for a match against Inter - Club from Angola from 4pm East African Standard time.

In other matches today, defending champions Djoliba from Mali will take on Ferroviario of Mozambique in the first match at 10am Kenyan time, immediately followed by the First Bank (Nigeria) v Arc (Cote d'Ivoire), Dolphins (Nigeria) v Hatari (DRC), Somo B v ISPU (Mozambique), ABC (Cote d'Ivoire) v Primiero de Agosto (Angola).



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Sprite Storms will take on Yana Club in the Kenyatta Day women's Cup final at Nairobi's Nyayo National Stadium today from 2pm.

Storms led by Angela Luchivya, Hilda Luvandwa and Faustina Mandu eliminated Flames of the United States International University of Africa 42-23 while John Chasimba's Yana knocked out Telkom 39-37 in the semi-finals at Kenyatta sportsground, Kisumu over the weekend.

Results
KCC Lions 90 Berkeley 45
UCU Mukono 77 Heaters 63

Former Falcons player Robert Mubiru put up a good individual display, scoring a game high 33 points for Makerere Youth Heaters but his team still lost to UCU Mukono in game three of the Yellow Go Conference semi-final play-offs.

Heaters looked the better team in first quarter winning 18-16 but UCU hit back in the second scoring 27-11 and sealed the game in third quarter with a 23-18 advantage.
Mubiru troubled the UCU defence in the last quarter but his efforts only produced 11 points as the opponents amassed 16. Robert Mugabe's 22 points steered UCU to victory.

Elsewhere, second division outfit KCC Lions also defeated Berkeley 90-45 and secured a place in Yellow Go next season.

Nigeria women club champion, First Bank basketball club got off to a good start the 12th edition of the Fiba Africa Women Club Championship holding in Libreville, Gabon with a 57-53 points win over Angolan Interclub basketball club.
The Adewumi Aderemi and Sola Ogunade tutored Elephant Girls as the Nigerian champion is also known were trailing the Angola by 28-26 points at halftime but came back forcefully into the remaining two quarter to snatch victory which now brighten their chances of progressing to the semi-final in group-A.

Nigeria second representative, Dolphins basketball club were not so lucky as they went down to another Angolan team Primero by 61-53 points today, the Sylvester James tutored side will confront reigning champion, Djoliba of Mali tomorrow while First Bank will do battle against home team SOMO of Gabon.

Other results of matches played Saturday and Sunday sees host SOMO winning its first game against KPA of Kenya 59-48; ABC of Ivory Coast posted a surprise win over defending champion Djoliba of Mali by 56-47 points; it was a double victory for Mozambican teams as Ferroviaro posted a 59-47 points win over Hatari of DR Congo while ISPU was also 74-60 points better than Arc En Ciel of DR Congo.

Dolphins thus brightened its chances with a 76-74 win over defending champion Djoliba of Mali decided earlier today while Ports Authority of Kenya defeated ISPU of Mozambique 62-57.


Other Monday Pairing:

INTER CLUBE (ANGOLA) vs ARC EN CIEL (RDC)
ABC (CÔTE D’IVOIRE) vs FERROVIARO (MOZAMBIQUE)
FIRST BANK (NIGERIA) vs SOMO (GABON)
PRIMERO (ANGOLA) vs HATARI (RDC)



By: Olusegun Ikuesan

0

Kenny's Bullets basketball club of Lagos have emerged champion of the second Lagos City league after wading off stiff opposition from ENN Studs, NAF Rockets and the Police Bombers in a three-day final-4 playoffs.
The Bullets began its quest for the title having come top of the regular season with nine win and a lose last Thursday as it dismissed ENN Studs with a low scoreline of 36-35 points, the Niyi Amusa captained Bullets shotdown rampaging NAF Rockets Friday 45-34 points to set up a last day duel against Police Bombers on Sunday at the sports hall of the Lagos National Stadium.

With two earlier wins the youthful Bullets players were determined to keep a clean slate as the combination of small forward Imeh Imoh, power forward Dare Borokini and centre Christain Okpalla score at will to end the first quarter 18-09 but went down to the Bombers who parades a crop of tested players such as Segun Daudu, Rasaq Odebode, Arinake Ebikoro among others, 12-04 in the second quarters. The third quater was more thrilling as the Bullets players rose to the challenges posed by the Bombers to win at 15-10 points while a late rally by the Bombers in the final quarter which ended 19-16 points in its (Bombers) favour was not enough to give it its first victory in the final-4.

Earlier in the day Studs had put up a big fight to snatshed victory at the jaw of the NAF ROckets 79-76 to finish second while the Rockets settle for the third place with a win and two loses.

The final-4 was supported by telecommunications giant, MTS First and Huawei Technologies with there products and other logistics, as MTS personnel were on ground throughout the duration of the final-4 distributing its T-Shirts to the teams, officials and fans who were given the opportunity to be part of championship during halftime of the Bullets, Bombers encounter Sunday.

Elephant Girls retain the female title with 14 points, Dodan Amazons was second and newly formed Brownies basketball club finished third.

All first three placed teams got medals and cash prizes for their effort while the winning teams (Kenny's Bullets and Elephant Girls) got trophy in addition to the medals and cash award.

....Borokini, Udeaja are MVPs

Bullets power-forward Dare Borokini was voted the second Lagos City league Most Valuable Player (MVP) with an average of 13 points per game.

An elated Borokini who once ply his trade in the colour of border boys, Customs basketball club in the Nigeria flagship league, The Premier league, however, dedicate the award to his teammates.

He described the Bullets as a team for the future, he was rewarded with a plaque and an handset with line donated by MTS First, while last season awarded winner in the female category, Elephant Girls and D'Tigress power-forward, Chioma Udeaja won again with an average of 14 points per game to beat other contenders to the title.

By Seinde Ikuesan

Kenny's Bullets basketball club of Lagos have emerged champion of the second Lagos City league after wading off stiff opposition from ENN Studs, NAF Rockets and the Police Bombers in a three-day final-4 playoffs.
The Bullets began its quest for the title having come top of the regular season with nine win and a lose last Thursday as it dismissed ENN Studs with a low scoreline of 36-35 points, the Niyi Amusa captained Bullets shotdown rampaging NAF Rockets Friday 45-34 points to set up a last day duel against Police Bombers on Sunday at the sports hall of the Lagos National Stadium.

With two earlier wins the youthful Bullets players were determined to keep a clean slate as the combination of small forward Imeh Imoh, power forward Dare Borokini and centre Christain Okpalla score at will to end the first quarter 18-09 but went down to the Bombers who parades a crop of tested players such as Segun Daudu, Rasaq Odebode, Arinake Ebikoro among others, 12-04 in the second quarters. The third quater was more thrilling as the Bullets players rose to the challenges posed by the Bombers to win at 15-10 points while a late rally by the Bombers in the final quarter which ended 19-16 points in its (Bombers) favour was not enough to give it its first victory in the final-4.

Earlier in the day Studs had put up a big fight to snatshed victory at the jaw of the NAF ROckets 79-76 to finish second while the Rockets settle for the third place with a win and two loses.

The final-4 was supported by telecommunications giant, MTS First and Huawei Technologies with there products and other logistics, as MTS personnel were on ground throughout the duration of the final-4 distributing its T-Shirts to the teams, officials and fans who were given the opportunity to be part of championship during halftime of the Bullets, Bombers encounter Sunday.

Elephant Girls retain the female title with 14 points, Dodan Amazons was second and newly formed Brownies basketball club finished third.

All first three placed teams got medals and cash prizes for their effort while the winning teams (Kenny's Bullets and Elephant Girls) got trophy in addition to the medals and cash award.

....Borokini, Udeaja are MVPs

Bullets power-forward Dare Borokini was voted the second Lagos City league Most Valuable Player (MVP) with an average of 13 points per game.

An elated Borokini who once ply his trade in the colour of border boys, Customs basketball club in the Nigeria flagship league, The Premier league, however, dedicate the award to his teammates.

He described the Bullets as a team for the future, he was rewarded with a plaque and an handset with line donated by MTS First, while last season awarded winner in the female category, Elephant Girls and D'Tigress power-forward, Chioma Udeaja won again with an average of 14 points per game to beat other contenders to the title.

By Seinde Ikuesan

Kenya's representatives Kenya Ports Authority take on ISPU of Mozambique in their second Africa basketball club championship tie in Libreville, Gabon today.

The Kenyans made a false start when they were beaten 59-48 by hosts Somo 'B' of Gabon at Libreville Gabon Gymnasium, yesterday.

KPA, who had beaten Somo 'B' in the last year’s championships in Senegal, trailed 13-09 in the first quarter but recovered to reduce the scores to 23-19 at the break.

The dockers at one time tied the scores to 36-36 midway in the third quarter. But the heavy downpour which caused a one hour stoppage, gave the Gabonese a new lifeline.

Caroline Arato, who had a passport hitch reaching Gabon only hours before the match, was the star of the match. The Gabonese over-relied on Congolese imports Kannasi Jose, Lifayefi Otono and Akonga Simbo.

Arato scored a games high 21 points while Ethel Wakesho and Millicent Anyango scored 14 and eight points respectively.

Otono led the scores for the Gabonese with 18 points while Dula Sombo Lyla and Fouty Mariene scored 12 and 10 points respectively.

Earlier, First Bank from Nigeria shocked Inter - Club from Angola 57-53.
Twelve teams are taking part in this year's championships whose defending champions are Djoliba from Mali.
KPA, who qualified to propel the country's flag in the event after winning the regional title in April, are drawn in Pool 'A'. Other teams in the six team Pool 'A' are Somo, First Bank of Nigeria, Inter-Club of Angola and ARC of the Democratic Repulic of Congo.

Djoliba are drawn in Pool 'B' to battle it out with Premero (Angola), Hatari (DRC), Ferroviaro (Mozambique), Dolphins (Nigeria) and ABC (Cote d'Ivoire).

The championship's preliminary round matches are scheduled to end tomorrow.
Three countries; Nigeria, Mozambique and Angola have sent two teams each in the nine-day championship whose final is set for Saturday. KPA meet Angola's Inter-Club in their last pool 'A' tie tomorrow.
The dockwomen, under coach Anthony Ojkuwu, left the country last Wednesday. KPA finished fourth in last year's competition.

THE waiting is finally over and the battle is back on. Marines fought back to level the MTN Basketball League semi-final play-off series Wednesday night and will be back today at the same venue with only one chance to salvage their trophy.

Record winners Falcons, still reeling from their game two frustrations can afford nothing less than a final place for the second season running. It will therefore require an extra effort from either team today to make the final.

That apart, the game promises a lot of drama and individual skill. Reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Norman Blick had an average game and later fouled out in the fourth quarter and pundits argue Marines can stop Falcons if he betters his performance.

Falcons' star guard Sam Obol tightly marked Blick in game two, giving him a hard time all through. The clash between the two will make today's game even more exciting.

Marines' full court press game made life so difficult for Falcons especially in the tense dying minutes and the same approach could do magic.Boniface Okello, Salim Ali, Carrol Bisereko and Donald Blick need the same determination today if Marines are to survive.

Falcons' Tony Oluka was undoubtedly man of the match with his crossovers and accurate passing and his performance today could determine the result. With Oluka pointing, Falcons looked in control but his ejection in the fourth quarter to some extent contributed to Marines' late comeback.

The Malinga brothers - Eric and Henry, Charles Ssubi and Brian Ssentongo are the other utility players for Falcons. In the women's semi-finals, KIU Rangers' stars Hadijja Kizza and Barbara Namukaya are a doubt as they face Lady Bucks to determine who plays in the final.

Standings from Northern and Southern Zones men and women.

ZAMBIA Basketball Association
SOUTHERN ZONE

LEAGUE STANDINGS AS AT 16 October,2006

MASCULINE DIVISION

P W L F A PTS

NAPSA Hurricanes 17 14 3 1166 946 31

Green Eagles 17 14 3 1344 969 31

NewspaperDirect Heroes 18 13 5 1233 1002 31

LCC Looters 18 11 7 1206 1013 29

Green Buffaloes 17 10 7 1293 1026 27

Barclays Magic 19 10 9-2 1114 990 27

UNZA Pacers 15 11 4 974 766 26

Junior Hurricanes 19 6 13 971 1333 25

Hawks 19 1 18 – 1 716 1444 19

Lusaka Kings 16 3 13 – 1 793 1028 18

L/Stone Police Hookers 17 3 14 – 2 609 829 18

FEMININE DIVISION


Green Buffaloes 15 11 4 909 644 26

LCC Looteresses 16 10 6 777 744 26

Nets 14 11 3 719 693 25

Shells 16 6 10 – 1 763 761 21

UNZA Honeys 15 0 15 519 924 15






NORTHERN REGION
STANDINGS
MALE FEATURE

P W L W/O F A PTS
FQM 14 14 0 0 1359 617 28
BULLETS 14 13 1 0 865 343 27
STEEL 13 9 4 0 781 828 22
CEC 14 4 10 0 136 1025 18
CBU 10 5 4 2 455 460 14
SIMBA 11 4 4 3 416 471 12
MAGNETS 11 3 6 1 353 562 12
CLIPPERS11 2 7 2 468 630 11
L EAGLES13 4 3 6 343 526 11

FEMALE FEATURE

W P L W/O F A PTS
CEC QUEENS 5 6 1 0 295 175 11
WOOSTERS 4 5 1 0 202 147 9
CBU ROBBINS 10 5 4 0 166 188 6
LECHWE 0 4 4 0 88 234 4



POINTS CLASSIFICATION

WIN = 2
LOSS = 1
LOSS BY FORFEIT = 0

NEVER say die, so goes the saying and Marines' players seem to have rehearsed it thoroughly before facing Falcons in game two of the MTN Basketball League semi-final play-off series Wednesday night at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.

Marines were trailing 71-78 with just about a minute left on the clock but the way they hit back to win the game was a clear indication of self belief, determination and great resilience.

The champions closed the gap to two points but with their best player Norman Blick fouled out many thought Marines had surrendered their title and it seemed more obvious when Falcons' Sam Obol (28pts) found his way to the free throw line with 20 seconds left.

Obol however missed both shots and Marines played a full court press game and eventually Carrol Bisereko squeezed in the equalising shot. In the last eight seconds Salim Ali was fouled and managed to establish a lead for Marines by converting one of the two shots. The hero of the day however was Boniface Okello, who completed a three-point play after being fouled by Falcons' substitute Larry Orumu in the last second.

The tension-packed fourth quarter also saw Falcons' stars Charles Suubi, Henry Malinga (18), Tony Oluka (7) and Eric Malinga (17) ejected, Marines' Donald Blick also followed suit. Norman 22pts, Okello 21 and Donald 15 top scored for Marines to set up a decisive game three due Monday 7pm at Lugogo.

Earlier on, Hadija Kizza (19 pts) had propelled KIU Rangers to a 55-52 win over ladies record champions Lady Bucks. The last game of the series for the two teams will also be played Monday evening at Lugogo.

Results
Women
Lady Bucks 52 KIU Rangers 55
Men
Nkumba Marines 82 Falcons 78

EX-CHAMPS clinched the third position in the Men’s division 1B category of the Top-of-the-table tournament following their walk-over win against Pointe Larue Falcons on Wednesday at Victoria Gymnasium.

Promoted to play in the Men’s division 1A after winning the Men’s division 1B league championship, Falcons could not put together a starting five for Wednesday’s match, a situation which might bring some doubts about their participation in the top flight next season.

Such a situation, if it is repeated, could contribute towards the degradation of the game of basketball as it has been the case with other sports here.

Meanwhile, the three finals of the Top-of-the-table tournament will be played tomorrow at the Palais des Sports.

International Caroline Arato was yesterday left behind as the Kenya Ports Authoritywomen basketball team left for Libreville, Gabon, after her passport got lost.

Arato, who together with Mwajuma Suleiman were traded from Telkom Kenya, and whose first major assignment will be the 12th Women Africa Cup which starts on Saturday, had handed their passports and that of coach Sammy Wanjohi to the Kenya Basketball Federation to process for them the Gabonese visas.The Gabonese Embassy said the visas for three would be ready earliest today. But FIBA Africa technical director Julien Farran directed that the three travel without visas.

Wanjohi, who is a FIBA instructor, said Farran asked the Gabon Basketball Federation to prepare the visas for the three on arrival in Libreville tonight, which the hosts accepted.
Kenya Basketball Federation Nairobi branch chairman Ronny Owino was a busy man for a better part of yesterday, making efforts to enable Arato get a new passport to enable her link with the rest of the team before Saturday.
KPA team manager Edward Oduor said Arato has been booked on tomorrow's flight to Gabon if she gets a new passport in time.
"We have made arrangements for her to travel on Friday and are hopeful that she will arrive in time for our opening match," Oduor said of Arato.
The rest of the KPA team members left the Moi International Airport Mombasa at 7.30am and had a four hour stopover in Nairobi.Other teams in the championships include: defending champions Djoliba from Mali, Primeiro de Agosto from Angola, First Bank from Nigeria, Somo 'B' from Gabon, Dolphins from Nigeria, ABC from Cote d'Ivoire, ARC En Ciel from DR Congo, Inter Club from Angola, Ferroviarrio and ISPU from Mozambique.

The contigent of players and officials boarded the 11am Kenya Airways flight at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The team was due to make a stopover in Douala, Cameroon, to connect a flight to Libreville.

The eight day tournament that brings together 12 top clubs in the continental ends on October 29. Mali's Djoliba won 2005 title in Dakar, Senegal where KPA scooped the fourth position. Seven teams participated.

RADIO Simba girls started off the Stanbic KKL Basketball League with the biggest margin win in the juniors category.

Simba beat DHL 34-0 at Aga khan school Saturday. Their biggest rival showed up in Venture Communications who also hit Total 14-0.
In the mids girls' games Nike displayed a potential threat by beating dfcu 26-2 in the kids season that ends late next month.
In the seniors, Nike girls edged UNICEF 10-9 while Sprite beat uganda telecom (utl) 8-7. The league has attracted 200 boys and girls grouped in 20 teams.

APATHY has marred the start of the 2006-07 Harare Basketball Association season with several clubs failing to fulfil their fixtures due to non-payment of affiliation fees.
The HBA league programme had been expected to start at the weekend but with many teams still struggling to raise affiliation fees, Bobby Chivaviro's executive were forced to call off the start of the season for the third consecutive week.

Only two teams -- Stanbic and Real Retainers both in the women's league -- out of more than 30, have paid the affiliation and team registration fees and had submitted player registration forms by close of business yesterday.
The league is also battling to find a sponsor since the withdrawal of Ikon three years ago.
HBA vice-chairman (technical), Eddie Gondoza, said they had given the teams until today to pay their fees and hand in the player-registration forms.
"We have given all the clubs tomorrow (today) as the deadline for them to bring in all the required documents because we are planning on starting the league games next weekend.
"At the moment only Stanbic and Real Retainers have brought the required papers and they are also the only ones who have done everything required," said Gondoza.Some of the teams have paid their affiliation fees but had not sent in any of the player registrations.

"We are trying by all means to make sure that we run the games in the best manner possible and so we cannot play the league games with the teams that would only have paid the registration fees without registering the players.

"That would be like having a league without players and that is why we had to reschedule the games and we would also reschedule the fixtures if teams fail to meet the extended deadline," said Gondoza.

BAYA were the first team to qualify for the final of the Men’s division 1A Top-of-the-table tournament after overcoming SMB Razorbacks 74-60 in the first semifinal played on Monday at Victoria Gymnasium. SMB Razorbacks started the game in a more aggressive manner and at the end of the first quarter they led a disorganised Baya 28-14. At this point, it looked as if Baya were to suffer one of the most humiliating defeats of the season.

But in the second quarter, the boys of coach Michel Malbrook redeemed themselves and fought back through Giovanni Laval who contributed 10 points including two 3-pointers, and Robert Léon added another eight as they went on to win the second 10-minute spell 19-16.

It was no turning back for Baya as they kept their feet on the accelerator throughout the third quarter. Playing tough defence on SMB Razorbacks who kind of adopted an individual approach, Baya won the third quarter 17-13.
It was in the fourth and final quarter that Baya really made the difference by accumulating 24 points compared to only three for SMB Razorbacks.
Baya’s Giovanni Laval was the game’s top scorer with 25 points including five treys, whilst Jean-Paul Camille had the hot hands for SMB Razorbacks with 19.
Baya’s opponents for Saturday’s final were to be decided in last night’s second semifinal between PLS Hawks and Premium Cobras.

L'entraîneur de Somo Basket-ball, Antoine Boussougou a déclaré lundi à la presse que son club qui représente le Gabon à la 12ème Coupe d'Afrique des clubs champions de basket-ball prévue à Libreville du 21 au 29 octobre prochain est fin prêt à affronter les poids lourds du continent lors de cette épreuve.

« Nous avons travailler les automatismes et tous les autres compartiments dans lesquels nous avions des faiblesses », a déclaré tout sourire M. Boussougou.

Quelques 12 clubs de 8 pays dont le Gabon participeront à cette compétition. Il s'agit de ABC (Côte d'Ivoire), Djoliba (Mali), Arc en ciel et ASB Hatari (RDC), Primero de Agosto et Interclub (Angola), Ferroviario et ISPU (Mozambique), Port Autority (Kenya) et First Bank et Dophins (Nigeria).

La compétition se déroulera au gymnase omnisports Président Omar Bongo Ondimba, a-t-on appris.

« J'invite les gabonais et les ressortissants des pays qualifiés à cette compétition à venir soutenir massivement les équipes de leur pays », a déclaré lundi soir la présidente de la Fédération gabonaise de basket-ball (FEGABAB), Sylvie Kota.

IT is often said that it is harder to win a championship than to retain it. There is big expectation, pressure and sometimes the desire might just not be the same as before.

And today MTN Basketball League defending champions Nkumba University Marines are in a must-win situation as they take on record champions Falcons in game two of the semi-final play-off series at Lugogo .
Marines controversially lost game one 60-62 and to stay in contention they must beat Falcons and set up a series deciding game three.
Reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Norman Blick, started on the bench for the biggest part of first quarter and his side managed only 6 points compared to Falcons' 17.
To avoid such a scenario again, coach Timothy Odeke is expected to unleash Blick for his side to get a flying start.
Point guard Salim Ali, who troubled the Falcons' defence will combine with Carrol Bisereko, Boniface Okello and Paul Mwaka as they seek to make the finals for the second successive season.
Eric Malinga, Sam Obol, Louis Hebineza, Brian Ssentongo and Charles Ssuubi all had a good game for Falcons and are expected to be on the starting five.Despite struggling with a knee injury, Henry Malinga is also expected to play part in the game. Game one was marred by umpiring controversy and the Marines will in particular be hoping to get a rub of the green in today's game.

In the women's category, Nimrod Kaboha's KIU Rangers must also beat Lady Bucks to keep alive their dream of making the final.

Lady Bucks lead the best of three series 1-0.

The organisers of the Nigerian Top 50 Basketball Camp took time off the drills on the courts for an emotional contact with the less privilege of the society yesterday with a visit to the Little Saints Orphanage located at the Palm Grove Estate, Lagos. The Radar Hoop team led by Masai Ujiri were at the Strong Tower Mission House to lend a helping hand to the home that has catered for abandoned children and the aged in the society over the years.

Masai, a former Nigerian international but now the Director of International Scouting at Denver Nuggets, said the motive was to give back to Nigerian kids and help develop them to a greater future.
"And it is in that spirit that we are identifying with the kids here. We believe that we can also touch the lives of these kids here to add some value to their lives. We can never tell there could be some great basketballers of the future.
"We therefore give these token and hope that the relationship will remain and expand," Masai said.

Radar Hoop thereafter made a donation of N100, 000 to the home. There was also additional gift of basketballs and nets. An understanding was reached that the next visit could take the team to the other homes of Strong Tower for the grown up boys and girls located at Akowonjo and Ogudu areas of Lagos respectively. It was also agreed in principle that Radar Hoop would assist with the repairs of the basketball court at one of the centres.Reverend Mrs. Dele George, the director of the centre who received the group, thanked the team for selecting the home for the reach out despite other such homes that exist in Lagos.

"We are very grateful and do hope that the relationship would get warmer. We were the first to be registered by the Lagos State Government and we have raised at least 600 children over time. By the grace of God we hope to expand to places like Abuja and Benin City in future," she said.

The team returned to the National Stadium where the basketball drills continued with the 50 young players. The camp, which began on Sunday, has three foreigners amongst them. There are two Cameroonians and a Senegalese in attendance. The event, the second this year, has coaches from the United States and Nigerian running it. The Top 50 Camp rounds of today at 1.00pm.

THE women’s final of the Top-of-the-table tournament between Mont Fleuri and Anse Etoile Stars will be a repeat of the Curtain-raiser final won by the latter.

And two second division sides will take centre-stage on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Palais des Sports when they will give the momentum to an afternoon of three finals. The Men’s division 1B/2 competition finalists are second division winners Juniors and runners-up LMS Jazz.

Mont Fleuri could count themselves lucky to be in the final as they won by the slightest of margins – 36-35 – against HotShots in the second women’s semifinal on Sunday at Victoria Gymnasium.

This will be Mont Fleuri’s second final appearance this year after meeting the same Stars in the Curtain-raiser final which they lost 45-51.

The Mont Fleurians beat defending champs Bel Air 60-45 in their group match and in the semifinal, they met Anse Boileau-based HotShots who had, in their first match, lost 52-71 to the Stars who, in turn, floored the Bel Airians 57-50 in Saturday’s first semifinal.

Sunday’s other semifinal match-up was an encounter between past greats of the game here who are now playing for Ex-Champs and the future stars of the Juniors team coached by one of Seychelles best centres of all-time Lenny ‘Bad’ Aglaé.

It was the young legs of Juniors who triumphed 45-36 over the weary legs of the old-timers, meaning that Saturday’s final will be an all-second division affair.

It must be noted that both finalists lost their group matches but made the difference in the semifinals.

Men’s division two winners Juniors fell 46-51 to Men’s division IB champions Pointe Larue Falcons who were then trounced 58-43 by Men’s division two runners-up LMS Jazz in the semifinal. Before winning against favourites Pointe Larue Falcons, LMS Jazz had lost 76-81 to Men’s division 1B runners-up Ex-Champs in their group match.

G. G.

Champions Predators hit Nairobi Pentecostal Church (NPC) 50-33 to dash into the finals of the Nairobi Basketball Association during a semi-finals tie at Railways Club on Sunday.

Both teams went into the match with the series tied 1-1.Predators, who will face Catholic Dream Team in the series finals beginning October 28, led 13-7 in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the victors were ahead 14-9.

After resumption, the scores stood at 7-5 in a low scoring third quarter, but it went a notch higher in a closely-fought last one with NPC trailing 14-16.Valentine Apondi scored 22 points to lead Predators, while Josephine Nabwire hit 13. Andrew Kihumba nailed a last-gasp free shot to lift Africa Nazarene University to a 53-52 win over Blazers.

Meanwhile, foreign referees took charge of local league matches at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.

The officials, who attended a three-day Zone Five Fiba Africa International clinic in Nairobi officiated at league matches.

ELIZABETH Kizza scored 11 of her team high 18 points in the fourth quarter to help defending champions A-1 Challenge defeat KCC Leopards in game two of the MTN Basketball League semi-final play-off series Sunday evening at YMCA.
A-1 Challenge, the women's defending champs became the first team to beat KCC Leopards who have won a record 19 games since the season begun in April. Having lost game one of the series, the champions showed determination right from the start scoring 20 points compared to KCC's 14 in first quarter.They stretched the lead 13-7 in second quarter, third quarter ended on level 11 points but Kizza's post moves in the fourth quarter helped her team amass 15 points while Leopards scored only 8.Betty Namukasa scored 9 points, Ali Mavita and Rossette Meya collected 6 apiece to help A-1 set up a determinant game three due Sunday or Monday depending on the FUBA technical committee decision later tomorrow.
Becky Akullo had a game high 24 points for KCC Leopards but her teammates in Agatha Baliddawa and Annett Nakiwu were a shadow of themselves managing only 2 points apiece.

Meanwhile, Stephen Okias led Warriors with 27 points on their way to a 68-52 win over Sadolin Power. Allan Tawoda top scored for Power with 19 points. The two teams will also meet for game three on a yet to be set date to determine who plays in the final.

Results
Lubiri High 71 Crane High 67
K. Riders 65 Vegetarians 47
Riders qualify for Yello Max

Knight Riders scored 28 points in the fourth quarter to overturn Vegetarians first half 28-25 lead, to win game two of the Yellow Go Conference semi-final play-off series Saturday evening at YMCA Wandegeya courts.

National team star Evans Enabu (15 points) and John Musoke (18) made a good account of themselves troubling Vegetarians' defence with coast-to-coast drives in the last five minutes.
Victor Bwangamoi made a team-high 14 points for Vegetarians while Chaka Jeje added 10. Having won game one of the series 66-47 at Lugogo Indoor Stadium two weeks ago,
Riders are now assured of a place in the topflight Yellow Max Conference.
They will however have to play best of five final series with either Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono or Makerere Heaters to determine the Yellow Go champions.
Vegetarians will play the loser between UCU and Heaters for the third and last position in Yellow Max on November 11.

In second division Lubiri High defeated Crane High 71-67 to level the series at 1 all. The two are fighting for a place in the Yellow Go Conference next season.

THEY have their tickets for the Saturday October 21 finals of the Top-of-the-table tournaments after winning their semifinal match-ups on Saturday at Victoria Gymnasium.Anse Etoile Stars (women) and LMS Jazz (Men’s division 1B) can start preparing for the title deciders but they were to know their final opponents yesterday with the taking place of the other semifinals.

After not even making the final last year, Anse Etoile Stars, who achieved a League and Cup double last season and retained their League title this year, floored defending champs Bel Air 57-50 in Saturday’s semifinals.

The win is the Stars’ second consecutive against Bel Air this year after winning the League decider 49-38. Bel Air won against the Stars in the Charity match (51-46) and in the first-round League encounter (47-42).

Having already won the Curtain-raiser competition and the League championship, the Stars are aiming to claim another piece of silverware.

It must be noted that 2006 Women’s League runners-up Bel Air made life difficult for themselves when they suffered a 45-60 loss in their first match to Mont Fleuri whom they beat 56-47 in last year’s final.

With a win against Mont Fleuri, who also beat them 45-43 in the Curtain-raiser semifinal, Bel Air would have avoided their most-feared opponents Stars in the semifinal to possibly meet them in the final.

Coach Robinson Boniface’s team will now watch the final from the side-lines.
In the Men’s division 1B/2 competition, LMS Jazz sent favourites Pointe Larue Falcons sprawling and out of the final.

Runners-up to Men’s division 2 champions Juniors and with a playoff decider against Men’s division 1B Beau Vallon Heat next week, five-man army LMS Jazz threw cautions to the wind as they coasted to a 15-point margin victory (58-43) against Men’s division 1B champions Pointe Larue Falcons who will be playing top flight basketball next season.

Interestingly for former Men’s division 1A side LMS Jazz, they had lost 76-81 to Men’s division 1B runners-up Ex-Champs in their first match last Friday but they were able to recharge their batteries to get an important win the following day.

Pointe Larue Falcons started the tournament on a good note last Thursday with a 51-46 victory against Men’s division two winners Juniors who were to play Ex-Champs in yesterday’s second semifinal.

Meanwhile, the finalists of the Men’s division 1A version of the tournament will be known today and tomorrow.

Losers on a 100-67 score to Premium Cobras in the 2005 final, Baya took the sting out of the recently crowned top flight champions on a 75-53 score in their first match.

They play SMB Razorbacks today and it is very likely that captain Dave Roseline will again be missing as he has not totally recovered from a hand injury and a fever.

In their first match, SMB Razorbacks lost 45-82 to PLS Hawks who play rivals Premium Cobras in tomorrow’s second semifinal at the Palais des Sports.

Badly missed in the defeat to Baya, Tanzanian Abdallah ‘Dulla’ Ramadhan is eligible for selection for tomorrow’s encounter.

G. G.

By Dann O’were

Champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) beat Yana Milele 77-51 in Game One of the Play Offs match at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.

The porters who had it their way all through took a 37-14 advantage at the break and went a gear up after resumption. It was their last match before they fly out to Libreville Gabon, for the Africa club championships.

Yana had trouble adjusting but once they did that they took a uprise 16-12 margin in the third quarter on long range efforts by Caroline Achieng.

Gladys Wanyama, undoubtedly KPA’s best player on the court caused havoc as it was her basket that gave KPA a huge 57-37 cushion with under 3:00 minutes to play.

She was unstoppable down low hitting team high 20 points while Irene Murambi added 11. But KPA is wanting at the backcourt and Ethel Wakesho must step up.

Yana had 21 from Achieng that included five three

pointers and Ruth Wasike managed another 13. Game Two is scheduled for latter in the month after KPA returns Gabon.

Meanwhile, Runda claimed the Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) title when they hit Kenya Polytechnic 78-69 in Game Two of the final series played at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.

It was the students who led 45-37 half time the experienced Runda, who took Game One 79-45, charged at them to win the match and claim the crown without losing a game.

WARRIORS coach Sylvan Kaboha wants to exact revenge on Sadolin Power in today's Yello Max playoff encounter at the YMCA.

The 2000 MTN Basketball League champions defeated Warriors 78-69 in game one of the best-of-three playoff series last weekend, and are looking to wrap up the series with another resounding victory today.

But still reeling from a disheartening nine-point defeat, Warriors have declared a war zone in today's game two.

"I can say that last week's loss will still be weighing on my player's minds which will be more than enough motivation for my boys as I will help them make the right decisions," Kaboha noted.

Stephen Okias, Ronnie Kasewu, Brian Rugyendo and Brian Gumisiriza, who seem more adept in the playoff environment, will be allowed more time on the court for Warriors.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Mwenyango contends that the crowds at today's women's playoff encounter between champions A-1 Challenge and KCC Leopards will be guests to a passionate clash the Challengers are determined to win.

Leopards v A-1 3.30pm
(Leopards lead series 1-0)

Warriors v Power 5.00pm
(Power leads series 1-0)

By Gloria Kyomugisha

KNIGHT Riders face the prospect of determined scoring action when they face Vegetarians in today’s basketball league Yello Go conference play-offs.

Riders hold an enviable 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series after a 66-47 game one victory over Vegetarians last weekend. They are fancied to progress to the finals. but Vegetarians have vowed to win the second encounter, setting up the prospect of an absorbing game three.

Riders, seeking to reach their first Yello Go league final, are buoyed by the combination of skipper Ivan Enabu, Roger Odwama and Derrick Mbusi who helped them to success in the first tie.

A victory for Riders will see them advance to the finals. But a win for Vegetarians will see them force a decisive game three in which the winner proceeds to the finals.

Meanwhile, Lubiri High will be hoping to secure a victory against Crane high in the other tie in order to force a decisive game three next week.

Lubiri, who fell 81-61 to Crane High last week in one of the second division play-offs, must win today for a chance to advance to the division finals.

Action continues tomorrow with women’s champions A-1 Challenge taking on KCC Leopards and Warriors facing Sadolin Power in game two of the best-of-three series.

At the YMCA
Lubiri v Crane High; 3.30pm

Crane leads series 1-0

Vegetarians v K/Riders; 5pm

Riders lead series 1-0

Tomorrow
Leopards v A-1; 3.30PM

Warriors v Power; 5.00pm

Kenya Ports Authority made a bright start to the 2006 basketball play-offs semi-final when they whitewashed Yana 77-51 in Game One at Nairobi's Nyayo National Stadium yesterday.

After having lost their unbeaten record to Telkom, who rocked them 52-46 last weekend, the dock women took court with caution against underdogs Yana.

KPA's Irene Murambi set the ball rolling with seven early points which included a three-pointer while experienced Miriam Awuor also grabbed five crucial field goals. The duo were responsible in KPA's 18-5 first quarter lead.

The match officiated by Cherubin Leslie of Mauritius and Elgaaly Mohammed of Egypt saw KPA again outscore Yana, who went dry for four minutes in the second quarter.

Yana's Ruth Wasike made a superb fight but KPA's Everline Akoth and Ethel Wakesho fired three-pointers at will as the winners raced to a huge 22-6 second quarter lead.

KPA, who leave for Gabon on Wednesday for the Africa club championship, faced little opposition and led 37-14 at half-time. On resumption, coach John Chasimba, of Yana reduced the tension with Carol Achieng remaining a big threat in outside shooting. Achieng's contribution saw Yana go into the offensive to lead 16-12 in the third quarter.

Achieng was on fire hitting three-three pointers in the last quarter in which KPA's international Gladys Wanyama and Wakesho were outstanding as they led 28-21. Wanyama scored a game-high 20 points, Murambi had 11 for KPA while Achieng shot 18 and team-mate Wasike managed 12 for Yana.

Assistant coach Sammy Wanjohi said the victory was a morale booster for KPA ahead of the continental championship. He said the team had prepared well and nothing would stop them from finishing in the medal bracket. Twelve teams from eight countries will take part in the Africa club championship in Gabon from October 21-29.

Yana coach Chasimba said: "The girls were tense in the first two quarters but after settling down we had a good game in the third and fourth quarters. We still have a chance to tie it 1-1 in Mombasa on November 4.'' The second women's play-offs semi-final features Telkom and Sprite Storms on November 4.

VEGETARIANS captain Michael Oling believes his team is better than Knight Riders and that success is will come their way when they meet for game two of the MTN Basketball League semi-final play-offs today at YMCA basketball court in Wandegeya.

Oling, who blamed their first loss on poor hoops at Lugogo Indoor Stadium told Daily Monitor that YMCA is like their home ground and that Riders must go down.
The Entebbe-based Riders easily made it past Vegetarians 66-47 and they will snatch a place in the final with a win today. However Oling has warned that despite his team's slim chance Riders should not celebrate yet.The winner between the two faces either UCU Mukono or Makerere Youth Heaters in the best of five finals beginning on 25th October. The two finalists will all be promoted to Yellow Max Conference.

With star guards Evans Enabu and Collins Mukiza, Riders look the better side but must contain Oling and his backcourt partner Victor Mwesigye in today's game.

In second division, Crane High School takes a 1-0 advantage in game two of the series against Lubiri High School. Action in the top division resumes tomorrow with defending women's champions A-1 Challenge facing a tough test against KCC Leopards, Warriors take on Power at YMCA. KCC Leopards and Power won their first games.

Reigning Nigeria Premier League Champion, Plateau Peaks basketball club proved that it is really a champion when it lead other teams in the group-A qualifying round in Abidjan with hundred percent record.

Peaks finish top ahead Ivories African Sports basketball with the 8 maximum points after posting a 68-61 points victory over the Ivories former champion who are also through to the final billed for Lagos from November 14 to 26 this year.

In order to determine who leads three other teams from the Abidjan qualifying leg of the championship group-B leader Backs basketball of Guinea will take on African Sports in the first semi-finals while Peaks takes on Zenith basketball club of Ivory Coast, with both matches billed for today.

Nigeria second team to the qualifiers Ebun Comets basketball club who could manage only one win will play a classification match for position 7-8 against CBS basketball club of Togo.

Other classification matches billed for today, includes ASPAC basketball club of Benin versus CEPS Braves of Ghana for placement 5-6 while the Liberian teams to the qualifiers NPA Pythons and Invincible Eleven will lock horn for placement 9-10, third place and the final matches will hold Saturday.

The 2006 Zenith Bank sponsored National female basketball League came to an end last weekend with success stories.

But, like Oliver Twist, the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), are appealing for more support from the bank.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2005/2006 league season at the Indoor Sports Hall, National Stadium, Lagos, President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Buba Gyang who was represented by 1st Vice president Dr. Segun Erinle described the competition as a huge success, while urging the sponsor to do more in their efforts to sustain the competition.

"We cannot but thank the sponsor for their relentless commitment towards the development of female basketball in the country" he said
'The league we started together two years ago is gradually growing to maturity and with growing interest among players, coaches and clubsides. I can only hope for more improvement".

First Bank, which won all its seven matches in the league final, were presented a giant trophy in addition to a cash prize of N500,000, while the second placed Dolphins were awarded a cash prize of N300,000 and a trophy.

Eight teams, including the Elephant Girls, the Blue Angels, Dolphins of Abeokuta, Delta Force, Sunshine Angels of Akure, Nigeria Customs of Lagos, Nigeria Immigration, Kano, and the AHIP Queens of Kano started out.

Kenya Commercial Bank Lions completed their basketball Premier League pre-season fixtures on a low note when they lost 63-66 to Kenyatta University Pirates at Nyayo Stadium on Tuesday.
The Lions, the East, Central and Southern Africa club champions, finished fourth with 20 points.They won seven matches and lost six in the second leg and will face pre-season winners and defending champions Ulinzi Warriors in the best-of-three play-offs semi-final from November 4.

Ulinzi completed their 2006 programme on a clean sheet with 28 points from 14 straight victories.

Pirates ambushed the fast-fading Lions with Philip Dinga shooting 100 percent to lead 21-17 in the first quarter.

The bankers gave a good fight in the second quarter, in which they went up 21-13.

The varsity lads, who were battling for two points to survive relegation, stretched Lions to limit with Dinga, Paul Ojuoga and Griffin Ligare scoring baskets at will.

Pirates comfortably led 38-34 at half- time.

The students remained too smart for the wounded Lions as they poured in baskets that saw them lead 16-11 and 16-14 in the third and fourth quarters.
Dinga scored 23 points while much-improved David Otiso hit 17 for Lions.

In another match, Fred Magana scored 22 as University of Nairobi's Terrorists registered a 88-64 win over International Christian Centre.
ICC, who finished bottom with 16 points, had made a good start, leading 33-24 at half-time.
Terrorists mounted pressure to lead 27-12 and 24-19 in the last two quarters.
Nelson Njau scored 20 points for ICC, who completed their 14 match programme with two wins and 12 losses.

In the women's tie, Pamela Sinda poured in 14 points as Yana ended the pre-season with a convincing 73-34 victory over Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
The Juja-based students went down 40-17 at half-time with former international Joyce Makungu replying with 11 points.

Yana scooped the fourth point on their first competition attempt to book a date with champions Kenya Ports Authority in the play-offs semi-final on Saturday at 2 pm.

Champions Ulinzi Warriors and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) are the top seeds as the stage is set for the 2006 Play Offs.
Following the draws released on Wednesday by Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) competitions secretary, Steve Nyakina, unbeaten Ulinzi will battle it out with fourth seeds, KCB Lions.

Former four-time champions, Co-operative Bank, are pitted against United States International University (Usiu). A shooting contest between two of the deadliest marksmen in the show - Usiu's Abel Nson and Co-op's Cliff Ochieng -- can be expected.
In the women's category, KPA, who lost only their first game 53-46 to Telkom last week, meet Yana Milele in what should be an easy win for the porters.

Telkom will take on former East and Central Africa Club champions, Sprite Storms.

Angela Luchivya's team must go full throttle to stop a star studded Telkom side. Kisumu Lakeside, who topped the lower division in their debut, will start off at home against Mennonites, while Strathmore University play Java Warriors.

The champions of the Liberia Basketball Federation national league, Invincible Eleven (I E) continues to suffer more defeats in the ongoing FIBA Men Basketball Competition currently taking place in the Ivorian capital, Abidjan.

According reports gathered, IE suffered her second successive defeat in the tournament on October 9 against Africa Sports of Ivory Coast; going down 42 to 59 points.

The "Yellow Boys" had earlier on October 8 fell prey to Aspac of Benin 72 - 81. IE left the country without Coach Wekee Doe who had managed the team prior to its
departure.
Our report says the absence of coach Doe is posing serious difficulties for the "Yellow Boys".
While Invincible Eleven struggles to pull her first win in the tournament, NPA Pythons continues her winning spree in the Ivorian capital. The "Port Boys" secured their second successive win on Monday October 9, dumping Zenith of Ivory Coast 73 - 71. Pythons won her first game against Braves Ceps of Ghana 66 - 64.
The tournament continues today with CBS of Togo engaging Invincible Eleven (IE) at 12 noon in game one; while Ebun Comets of Nigeria will battle things out with NPA Pythons at 1400 hours in game two.

The tournament is divided into two groups with Invincible Eleven (IE) placed in group A along side African Sports of Ivory Coast, CBS of Togo, Aspac of Ghana and Plateau Peak of Nigeria.

NPA Python is in group B with Zenith of Ivory Coast, Ebun Comet of Nigeria, Braves Ceps of Ghana and Backs of the Republic of Guinea.

The final rounds of the 2006 Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball began yesterday at the National Stadium, Lagos with astonishing results in some of the matches played. The first two games in the girls' category produced results that can compete for places in the World Guinness Book of Records.
In the very opening game of the competition Queen of the Rosary Secondary School, Gboko drilled Government Girls College Bauchi 47-6. The result left spectators wondering how the losers made it to the national stage as all 12 teams in Lagos are champions of their various conferences.And it was a day of losses for the Bauchi girls as they also fell by 33-9 to Yejide Girls Grammar School, Ibadan later in the afternoon when they played their second game of the day.

When the teams left the court, Asaba Girls Grammar School, Asaba and Government Girls College, Gazawa, Kano took over and produced another one sided game.The Asaba Girls mauled their opponents 30-8 with their eyes now set at the semi-final stage.

In the Boys Group A opening game, Sheik Gumi Abubakar College, Kaduna defeated Government College, Maiduguri 39-19. But the next match in the boys' event was keenly contested to the admiration of the spectators.

St Thomas Basic Group of Schools, Benin City defeated Commercial Secondary School, Kolo, Bayelsa by just three points with the match ending 29-26.

THE introduction of 3 match officials failed to reduce contentious calls in the MTN Basketball League play-offs game between defending champions Nkumba Marines and Falcons played Monday evening at Wandegeya.

Two officials are normally deployed to handle regular season games. Lead referee Emmanuel Samanya and second umpire Nelson Onyita made controversial calls from kick-off to the end.
With four minutes to the end and scores at 51-48 in favour of Falcons, the game almost aborted following a technical call by first umpire Sam Bahwayo against Marines.
Marines' bench players converged on the court and fans threw objects protesting Bahwayo's decision arguing that he had overruled a foul on their point guard Salim Ali.Then, with 15 seconds left to the final whistle and Falcons leading 60-57 Norman Blick sunk a three-pointer to tie the scores, sending fans into frenzy as they braced for overtime.
However quick in-bounds by Falcons ensured that Tony Oluka and Eric Malinga got to the charity line in the last eight seconds each converting one of the two, to make it 62-60.
Falcons' Eric Malinga scored a game high 21 points while Norman Blick, whose last three-pointer was cancelled for a walk got a team high 18 points.
Results

Leopards 51 A-1 Challenge 39
Falcons 62 N. Marines 60

Kenya Ports Authority's women's team suffered their first National Classic league defeat when bitter rivals Telkom Kenya drubbed them 52-46 in the return leg match at the Nyayo Stadium Gymnasium.
The win which came at the time when the team was preparing to represent the country in the Africa Club championships in Gabon from October 18 has thrown the quest for this year's league title open between defending champions KPA, Kenya Telkom and Sprite storms.KPA who have have not stabilised since star guard Rose Ouma left for the United States on a basketball scholarship were on the receiving end as Telkom led 21-10 in the first quarter and 34-20 at the break.

Caroline Achieng Majeng, Joyce Makhungu, Mwajuma Suleiman and Caroline Arato damaged the Dockers with quick and accurate passes scoring basket after basket. Coach Anthony Ojukwu seemingly ran out of ideas in the absence of Sammy Wanjohi who is in Eritrea to conduct a coaching clinic.
It was a late rally by Miriam Awuor and Gladys Wanyama who played a great game that saved the day for the Dockers as they reduced the score line in the third and fourth quarter.
Arato led the scorecard for Telkom with 23 points and Achieng had 15 while Awuor was the highest scorer for KPA with 16 points.
KPA who finished the preliminaries at the top now face Yana Milele in the play-off semi finals while Telkom take on Sprite Storms in the other semi final.

In the men's play-offs defending champions Ulinzi take on KCB while Cooperative Bank square it out with United States International University.In Division One matches, Kisumu Lakeside take on Mennonites while Java Warriors face Strathmore.

Elsewhere, the national teams intensified their training for the East and Central Africa championship to be held in Kigali Rwanda next month.

The women's team which has been training under Smarts Olumbo and Ben Oluoch stepped up their training at the Nyayo stadium under Ronny Owino. The men's team is being coached by KCB's Francis Ngunjiri and Waringo Gitau of Kenyatta University.

Kisumu Lakeside were declared the 2006 men's Division One basketball league pre-season champions on Sunday.

They beat Nairobi Pentecostal Church 68-51 to complete their 16 matches with 29 points. They won 13 matches losing only three to finish top in the nine-team competition.

Lakeside, will now take on fourth rated Mennonites in the post-season best-of-three series play-off semi-finals which get underway on November 4.

In other matches, men's Premier League champions Ulinzi Warriors completed their fixtures with an unbeaten record after beating University of Nairobi's Terrorists 72-51, women's defending champions Kenya Ports Authority also kept their scoresheet clean in 11 matches after registering a 76-26 win over Dynamites, Nairobi Pentecostal Church rocked Don Bosco 73-70 while Java Warriors down fighting 71-55 to rivals Lakeside.

On Sunday, Lakeside, who had made their work easier after dismissing rivals Java 71-55, scored six points through Tobias Odhiambo while Erick Omondi hit seven to lead 20-10 in the first quarter.

Big contribution

NPC, who failed to make the top four teams for the play-offs, used Chidi Antoine in the second quarter whose big contribution saw them upset Lakeside 12-10.

On sensing danger, James Nyasimi's Lakeside got down to serious business with Tobias Odhiambo and EricK Odhiambo causing havoc in their opponents territory to race to a 30-22 half-time lead.

It was all systems go for Lakeside in the last quarter in which Tobias Odhiambo ran riot sinking three-three-pointers in a row as Lakeside overpowered NPC to outscore them 19-17.

10 points each
Man-of-the match Tobias Odhiambo scored a game-high 26 points, Erick Odhiambo added 14 while Radhi Ndalu contributed 18 and team-mates Linus Kimunya and Antoine replied with 10 points each.

In another lower competition tie, Java Warriors recovered to end their fixtures with a 58-55 win over Don Bosco. The victory saw Java finish second with 28 points and will now face third rated Strathmore University in the play-off semi-finals to determine the 2006 championship.
Coach Mike Mureithi's Java had a shaky start allowing Don Bosco to lead 20-12 in the first quarter.

Frustrated them
Java failed to get organised from the word go as Don Bosco frustrated them to lead 40-38 at half-time.
Erick Omondi and Timothy Odhiambo of Java came back into the game in the third quarter in which they worked extra hard to race to a 20-6 advantage.
Philip Owino scored 13 points, Omondi and George Ochieng each shot 10 for Java while Robert Brian had 13, Gerald Kibugi hit 11 while Graham Mmeyi managed 10 for Don Bosco.

The 2006 Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship gets underway this morning at the National Stadium, Lagos with all 12 schools listed in both in the boys and girls categories expected to feature competitively.
The Milo standard floors arrived the venue by the weekend and were put in place on Sunday ahead of the jump ball by 9.00am this morning. And to compete first on the mobile floors are the Queen of the Rosary, Gboko and Government Girls College, Bauchi. Both teams are in Group A of the female category.The opening day is different from the other days as some of the teams would play two games each. And on that note, Government Girls College ladies would return to the court later in the afternoon to face a traditional basketball school, Yejide Girls Grammar School, Ibadan in their second match.

In the first Group B match for girls, Asaba Girls Grammar School, Delta State battles Government Girls School, Gazama, Kano for the full points and later the Kano girls would engage Ikenegbu Girls Secondary School, Owerri in their second match of the day.In the boys category Sheik Abubakar Gumi College, Kaduna are stepping out to face Sahara Conference champions, Government College, Maiduguri, Borno State as the first match of the day.

The championship rounds off on Saturday with the winners going home with cash prize of N150, 000 while the second and third placed teams would earn N100, 000 and N75, 000 respectively. The prizes are equal for both categories just as other individual prizes best three-pointer and Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards would go to deserving players. The winners would also go home with lots of Nestle Milo products and branded items.

The Milo/Radar Hoops Top 50 Camp would precede the schools championship on Sunday. The event, run by former Nigerian international and NBA scout Masai Ujiri, is devoted to upcoming basketball who have exhibited budding talent. Nestle Milo and radar Hoops became partners with the 2005 edition.

By Gloria Kyomugisha

Game one
Yello Go conference
UCU 66 MUK-Youth 55
Second division
Crane High 81 Lubiri 61
Today- YMCA
Leopards v A-1 3.30pm
Falcons v N/Marines 5.00pm

UGANDA Christian University pipped Makerere Youth Heaters 66-55 in game one of the Yello Go basketball conference playoffs on Saturday.

Peter Senfuka scored 13 points and Robert Mugabe added 10 as UCU, playing in its first-ever playoffs, inched closer to securing promotion to the Yello Max conference league next season.

Geoffrey Omondi had nine points in the fourth quarter as the Mukono-based team outscored Heaters 15-09 to push its lead to 11 points at 66-55.

The victory pushed UCU’s MTN basketball league winning streak to 19 consecutive victories after finishing the second round undefeated. They are favourites to become this year’s Yello Go champions.

BySande .A. Bashiaja
WANDEGEYA

Results
Lady Bucks 70 KIU Rangers 44
Warriors 69 Sadolin Power 78



KENYAN import Michael Karuiki scored a game high 22 points to help 2000 champions Sadolin Power defeat Kyambogo Warriors 78-69 in game one of the MTN Basketball League semi-final play-off series played at YMCA Wandegeya courts Sunday evening.

Warriors were pre-match favourites but had a poor start to the game, losing first quarter 15-21. They recovered in the second scoring 26 points compared to Power's 14, but lost the last two quarters 18-22, 10-21. Without injured Wilbrod Oketcho Power looked composed all through, with Allan Tawoda scoring 17 points, newly appointed captain Mark Enabu 11 and Richard Balemwa 7.

Leading scorer Stephen Okias and Nelson Wafula garnered 16 points apiece while Ronnie Kasewu added 14 in the Warriors' losing effort. With the result, Power can now seal a place in the final if they register a win in game two due this Sunday.

In the ladies category Frances Nabulobi, Flavia Oketcho and Judith Akoth combined well for 51 points, leading record champions Lady Bucks to a convincing 70-44 win over KIU Rangers. Hadija Kiiza and Barbara Namukaya collected 13 points apiece while Tewin Semakula registered 7 but could not save KIU.

Women defending champs A-1 Challenge was facing KCC Leopards, while Falcons were up against Marines before we went to press last evening.

Ebun Comets basketball club began its quest for a place in the grand finale of the 23rd African Champions Club Competition on a shaky note Sunday in Abidjan, Ivory Coast with a 58-53 points lose to home team Zenith basketball club.
The coach Ayo Bakare tutored still have opportunity to redeem the pledge of playing in the grand finale in lagos next month when it filled out against Back basketball club of Guinea later today.

Nigeria champion, Plateau Peaks basketball club will have the opportunity of show-casing its talents when in confront CBS basketball club of Togo.

Other matches slated for today includes the encounter between NPA Python of Liberia and Zenith of Ivory Coast and Invissible Eleven of Liberia versus African Sports of Ivory Coast.

Ten club are taking part in the week-long qualifiers from seven countries from zones one, two and three with the first four team booking a passage to the grand finale to be hosted by Nigeria's Dodan Warriors basketball club.

Day-one results:

07/10 - Africa Sports75-50 CBS

08/10 - ASPAC 81-72 Invincible Eleven

NPA Pythons 66-64 CEPS Braves

Zenith 58-53 Ebun Comets


GROUPE A
1. AFRICA SPORTS (CÔTE D’IVOIRE)
2. CBS (TOGO)
3. ASPAC (BENIN)
4. PLATEAU PEAKS (NIGERIA)
5. INVINCIBLE ELEVEN (LIBERIA)

GROUPE B
1. ZENITH (CÔTE D’IVOIRE)
2. EBUN COMET (NIGERIA)
3. BRAVES CEPS (GHANA)
4. BACK (GUINEA)
5. NPA PYTHONS (LIBERIA)

The 2006 season of the Zenith Bank Female Basketball League rounded Saturday night with defending champions First Bank of Lagos retaining the trophy they won last year in Abuja where the first final play off held.
The Bankers’ team, nicknamed Elephant Girls, pummeled Delta Force of Asaba 68-35 in the very last of the series at the National Stadium, Lagos.
The win gave them the maximum 14points in the week-long play off as they defeated all other teams including their feeder team the Blue Angels. The play off result also gave the Satellite Town-based team a one hundred percent outing in the league this year as they did not drop any game through the conference play off that began in Asaba last July.
The ladies were rewarded for their effort with N500, 000 cash and a trophy. They also picked the first slot for the African champions club for the Nigerian teams.
The Elephant Girls were followed by Dolphins who won five matches to secure 12 points. They followed in the third and fourth places by Delta Force and the Blue Angels.
The second to the fourth teams got N300, 000, N150, 000 and N50, 000 respectively. The Dolphins, like First Bank, also got a continental ticket to the next African clubs championship.
“Losing out from the initial conference play off taught us a lesson and kept us on our feet. It was quite embarrassing having to go to Abuja and play with the other losers but that helped because we knew we had to sit up properly to achieve something in Lagos.

If we didn’t falter at that stage perhaps we would have entered these finals to relaxed and unprepared,” Wale Aboderin, the proprietor of Dolphins Club told THISDAYSports at the National Stadium.
The remaining fifth to eighth positions were taken by Sunshine Angels of Akure, Nigeria Customs, Immigrations, and AHIP of Kano respectively.
The eight teams have automatically formed the Premier League for women while the other female teams in the country would compete in the lesser division.
Zenith Bank became the title sponsors of the league last year with N7.5m and was increased to N10m this season.


F

By Dann O’were

National basketball champions Ulinzi Warriors kept their unbeaten run intact with an easy 72-57 win over University of Nairobi’s Terrorists in a Premier League tie played at Strathmore University.

The soldiers, gunning for a fourth successive title, have now played 15 matches and bagged a maximum 30 points.

They are assured of a top spot during the play-offs. UoN on the other hand have won one match.

Reigning women champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) also maintained their 100 per cent run when they whipped University of Nairobi’s Dynamites 72-26 in another match played on Saturday.

KPA, who are warming for the Africa Club Championships in Libreville, Gabon, in two weeks, had an easy time in the match. They will take the pole position in the play-offs.

In the lower division, Kisumu Lakeside shot to the top of the table with a comfortable 71-55 win over Java Warriors. Nairobi Pentecostal Church (NPC) also won when they beat Don Bosco 73-70.

Elsewhere, Kenya Polytechnic will meet Runda in the Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) following their 61-53 win over Blazers in the semi final played at Railways Club.

High flying Samuel Ocholla hit a game high 20 points for the students while Ken Kenya weighed in with 18 for the Blazers but it proved too little too late.