22 April 2008
KENYA : Champs KCB Get Title Defence Off to Fine Start
by Caxton Apollo
Nairobi
Defending champions Kenya Commecial Bank Lions started their basketball Premier League title defence with a resounding 79-54 win over University of Nairobi's Terrorists at the Hope Centre, Nairobi, on Sunday.
In other matches, Eagle Wings collected two points on day one when they rocked Dynamites 45-18, while newcomers World Hope made a false start when experienced Lomboritz defeated them 69-60.
KCB, who beat Co-op Bank 2-0 in the best-of-three series play-offs final to win last year's title, paraded their new signings during their season opener.
Their new boys are: Eric Mbori, Anthony Were formerly with Java Warriors and Victor Odendo, former Ulinzi Warriors aggressive strong forward.
Forward John Njuguna set the ball rolling with seven quick points while Tobias Onyango did his magic as the Lions roared 14-10 in the first quarter.
Terrorists, who finished fourth overall last year after going down 68-65 to Tigers of the USIU-A, could not stop Onyango in the second quarter.
Onyango's eight points saw Lions lead 19-8. The students had new players in Mika Opinya, Richard Sinda and Joseph Ayemba but still found the going tough especially without star Eugene Genga.
After trailing 18-11 in the third quarter, Terrorists rose from the dead to scare the bankers in the fourth. Ayemba and Humphrey Mbande fired four three-pointers in a row narrowing the gap 28-25 in the closely contested final quarter.
Onyango led with 18 points, Anthony Were had 10 for KCB Lions while Rodney Genga connected 10 and team-mate Eric Maosa eight for the students.
In the women's Premier League tie, Rebecca Sarange scored 10 points as Eagle Wings humiliated Dynamites 45-18.
Showed seriousness
The Wings took charge from the word go leading 14-2 and 10-4 in the opening two quarters respectively.
Although Eagle Wings failed to impress in their shooting, they led 24-4 at half-time. Redempta Achieng was the only player from Dynamites, who showed seriousness, scoring six points.
In the men's Division One section, World Hope failed to utilise their home court advantage going down 69-60 to the much experienced Lomboritz.
Playing their first match after their promotion from the Nairobi Basketball Association league, World Hope were down 31-29 at half-time.
Melvin Oketch hit 15 points and Dennis Chutte had 14 for Lomboritz. It was Moses Msebe who did the donkey work, replying with 13 points for the losers.
Nairobi
Defending champions Kenya Commecial Bank Lions started their basketball Premier League title defence with a resounding 79-54 win over University of Nairobi's Terrorists at the Hope Centre, Nairobi, on Sunday.
In other matches, Eagle Wings collected two points on day one when they rocked Dynamites 45-18, while newcomers World Hope made a false start when experienced Lomboritz defeated them 69-60.
KCB, who beat Co-op Bank 2-0 in the best-of-three series play-offs final to win last year's title, paraded their new signings during their season opener.
Their new boys are: Eric Mbori, Anthony Were formerly with Java Warriors and Victor Odendo, former Ulinzi Warriors aggressive strong forward.
Forward John Njuguna set the ball rolling with seven quick points while Tobias Onyango did his magic as the Lions roared 14-10 in the first quarter.
Terrorists, who finished fourth overall last year after going down 68-65 to Tigers of the USIU-A, could not stop Onyango in the second quarter.
Onyango's eight points saw Lions lead 19-8. The students had new players in Mika Opinya, Richard Sinda and Joseph Ayemba but still found the going tough especially without star Eugene Genga.
After trailing 18-11 in the third quarter, Terrorists rose from the dead to scare the bankers in the fourth. Ayemba and Humphrey Mbande fired four three-pointers in a row narrowing the gap 28-25 in the closely contested final quarter.
Onyango led with 18 points, Anthony Were had 10 for KCB Lions while Rodney Genga connected 10 and team-mate Eric Maosa eight for the students.
In the women's Premier League tie, Rebecca Sarange scored 10 points as Eagle Wings humiliated Dynamites 45-18.
Showed seriousness
The Wings took charge from the word go leading 14-2 and 10-4 in the opening two quarters respectively.
Although Eagle Wings failed to impress in their shooting, they led 24-4 at half-time. Redempta Achieng was the only player from Dynamites, who showed seriousness, scoring six points.
In the men's Division One section, World Hope failed to utilise their home court advantage going down 69-60 to the much experienced Lomboritz.
Playing their first match after their promotion from the Nairobi Basketball Association league, World Hope were down 31-29 at half-time.
Melvin Oketch hit 15 points and Dennis Chutte had 14 for Lomboritz. It was Moses Msebe who did the donkey work, replying with 13 points for the losers.
# posted by afrbk : 15:06
