Basketball in Africa

by Sande Bashaija
Kampala

NATIONAL Basketball League two-time champions Nkumba Marines face newly-promoted Crane High School at YMCA Wandegeya today without their title winning star players Norman and Donald Blick.
The duo led Marines to championships in 2005 and 2006, but have left the country for Qatar to play semi-professional basketball.
Marines have also lost Carrol Bisereko, so coach Timothy Odeke will assemble a new-look team today. Fortunately for Odeke, former Most Valuable Player (MVP) Boniface Okello, Salim Ali and Danson Ngati are still around to help Marines compete favourably in the MTN-sponsored league.
But Crane High will be fancying their chances against a Marines side without the Blicks. Record women league champions Lady Bucks will also be without three-time top scorer Frances Nabulobi as they take on Amazon Rhino.

The Bucks have however recruited Maggie Nalubega from Makerere Sparks and will be hoping her experience gives them a cutting edge today.

TODAY AT YMCA
Nabisunsa v Cubs 12:30 p.m.
Bucks v Amazon 3:30 p.m.
Nkumba v Crane 5:30 p.m.