Basketball in Africa

KAMPALA City Council crashed out of the on-going Africa Zone V Inter-Cities basketball tournament in Dar es Salaam, when they were beaten 63-46 by Mombasa in a crucial tie. Dar es Salaam also secured a semi-final berth after winning all their three games.

4 members of the Cape Verde National Team, among the newest members, are current or recent college players. Two of these collegians - 6′9″ Vinny Lima, now playing for Northeastern University in Boston, and Ivan Almeida, who completed 2 years at Mohawk Valley Community College in New York, have played with the team in the past. Providence College Senior guard and leading scorer Jeff Xavier, J/X, and recent U-Mass Graduate Tony Barros, until recently the newest member of the squad, complete the list of collegiate players.

2 Professional players playing in Europe: 6′9″ power forward Peter Cipriano, who plays in Finland, and guard Avery Oliver, who plays in Germany, complete the alterations to the roster. The remaining corps of players mainly play pro in Europe or Africa, specifically Portugal or Angola.

This mix of youth and veterans will hopefully serve the team well as they face New Zealand and Germany July 14th and 15th.

Jeff Xavier led Providence College in scoring with 12.4 ppg, and also led the Big East conference in steals.

Cape Verde could at times have as many as 3 collegiate players on the court at once, with Xavier and Barros vying for starting spots at the shooting and point guard positions, respectively, and Lima and Almeida reserves at forward and guard. Almeida, at 6′6″, can play several positions including small forward.

By Faustine Feliciane

Dar es Salaam and Mombasa men`s teams yesterday qualified for the semi finals in the on going Africa Zone V Inter-Cities Basketball tourney.
Mombasa went through after hitting Kampala City Council (KCC) 63-46 in the match played at Dar es Salaam`s Indoor Stadium yesterday.
The Kenyan side were ahead 31-9 until the half time with Dan Foster who scored 18 points and Nelson Njau (16) emerging the top scorers.
The highest scorers for KCC were Akita Helbert (12) and Ssentongo Brain (11).
Dar es Salaam went through after winning all their three games.
They defeated Mombasa 69-59 in their last match played on Thursday evening.
The hosts were yesterday evening expected to play Mbeya in a formality tie.
Other two teams which will join Dar es Salaam and Mombasa in the semis will be known today after the morning matches.
In another development, Mwanza hit Arusha 80-44 in the men`s match played yesterday.
The regional championship will end today.

The men's national basketball team will close the first phase of their preparation today, with a game agains a mix of the top players in city of Praia. The preparations began on the 16 of June for the pre olympic tournament in Athens. This game will also serve as a presentation to the country of the National team at the Vva Duarte pavillion.
The coaching staff has been working, in this first phase, with 18 pre selected players. But today, the final 12 selected players will face the mix of Praia. The second phase of the preparation will continue in France, and than on to Greece for the
pre Olympic tournament, 14 to the 20 of June.
The National team was received today by the President of the country, Pedro Pires.

WHO let the dogs out?” This is what the Dawgz of Mont Fleuri sing after every win. Although they aren’t out yet, the Dawgz look good for promotion to the top flight next season.

Mont Fleuri Dawgz, pictured here against Juniors, lead the standings at the halfway stageBoasting players like Christopher Dugasse and Jim Créa, who have first division experience with SMB Razorbacks (now Razors) and Premium Cobras, the Dawgz lead the 11-team standings with 19 points out of a possible 20 after nine wins and a loss in 10 games played.
Their only loss on a 61-63 score was against Pointe Larue Falcons, who lost their place in the first division at the end of last season.
Like the Dawgz, the Falcons have also lost once – but it was through a walkover against Juniors and so they did not pick up a point, unlike other losers, leaving them with 18 points.
The Falcons registered their ninth win against RA Rockets on a 65-58 score and got 14 points from both Jean-Claude Moka and S. Gabriel.

Four teams – Juniors, RA Herons, AAP Brothers and Anse Etoile – are locked on 17 points after seven wins and three defeats apiece.
With Abdel Sylla, who is on holiday from France where he has been training since last year, playing for them and getting 29 points including some spectacular slams, Juniors beat Anse Etoile 76-65 on Wednesday.
As for RA Herons, they condemned Drifters to their 10th defeat with a 63-42 win.
The remaining five places on the table are occupied by RA Rockets (seventh with 14 points after four wins and six defeats), Cadets (eighth with 12 points after three wins and seven defeats), LMS Youth (ninth with 11 points after one win and nine defeats), Drifters (10th with 10 points after 10 defeats) and Fire Brigade (11th with nine points after 10 defeats – one through walkover).

G. G.

By Faustine Feliciane

Mwanza posted their first win in the on going Africa Zone V Inter-Cities Basketball tourney when they hit Kampala City Council (KCC) 47-40 in the men`s match played at the Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
The lake zone side led 32-28 until the half time against KCC who also lost against hosts Dar es Salaam in the opening match.
Juma Kisocky and Amran Sufian emerged the top scorers for the winners after registering 22 and seven points, respectively.
Juma Francis scored 15 and Ssentongo Brain registered nine to become the highest scorers for the Ugandan side.
Dar es Salaam extended their lead when they defeated Arusha 68-27 in another men`s match played on the same ground yesterday.
The hosts side which hit Mwanza 67-44 on Wednesday, got most of their points from Charles Makene who scored 17 and Frank Simkoko (11).
Chelu Mapolu scored 12 points to emerge top scorer for the losers.

Cape Verdes senior mens basketball pre-selection began preparations last week, June 16, for the qualification tournament for the 2008 Olympic Games. Among those called upon to play for the national basketball team are six important reinforcements, among them Peter Cipriano (206-F-83, college: Southern), a 2.06-meter, 130-kilogram
giant who plays in Finland's Professional Basketball League, Josh Gomes (190-G-83, college: E.Illinois), who plays in Israel, and Jeff Xavier (185-G-85, college: Manhattan), who plays college basketball for the University of Providence in the United States.

Marito (Desportivo, Cabinda, Angola), Rodrigo Mascarenhas and Marques Houtman (1 de Agosto, Angola), Vini and Tony Barros (USA) and Abdulay Faty (Desportivo, Huila, Angola) are the returners from the lineup that won Cape Verde the bronze medal in Afrobasket 2007 in Angola.
Ivan Almeida (from Stonehill College) and Fidel, who plays in Portugal, are two new promises who have just joined the national basketball selection. Mário Jorge will not be present, as the date coincides with his wedding.

The coaching team also has a number of new faces: Kula, the only level III coach working in Cape Verde. And Rico, who was Emanuel Trovoadas assistan during Afrobasket 2007 in Angola.
Meanwhile, the Cape Verdean Basketball Federation continues to look for financing for Cape Verde to participate in the qualification tournament, which will take place in Athens, Greece in July. So far, the Federation has managed to raise 16 million of the 30 million escudos in its budget.

by Pedro Gomes africabasket.com

Four games were played in this round :

Al Ahli Tripoli - Al Wahda 82-51
Al Ittihad - Al Shabab 81-84

Naser - Al Morog 65-56
Ahli Benghazi - Al Hilal 60-44

Al Shabab - Al Ittihad game was so far the most exciting this season , after shabab lost their chances to win the league title , they are now trying to focus on the Cup competition and win it for the third consecutive year , the winner of this game will directly qualify to the first group final game while the loser will play another game against the winner from Al Ahli Tripoli - Al Jazeera to make the first group finals.

the first quarter ended 25-20 for ittihad ,as for the second quarter (40-38) and the third (65-59) ended also for Al Ittihad.

In the forth quarter eveything was going good for Al Ittihad and with 2 minutes left , 81-74 for Al Ittihad , a basket and a free throw made by Al Shabab Mauritanian player Babaker Wad and a three point shot by Mohammed Issa made the result 81-80 for Al Ittihad , then a steal by Al Shabab Player Mohammed Doji , a free throw made by the same player tied the result , Al Ittihad lost the position of the ball to Al Shabab before 3 seconds from the ending Mohammed Issa made a three point shot to leave Al Ittihad stunned by Al Shabab's 8 consecutive points comeback that made them win the game and qualify to the first group finals for the third year.

Al Ittihad now have to play against the winner from Ahli T - Al Jazeera game to determine the other finalist while in the second group Ahli B qualified to the final and will wait for the winner from An Naser Riyadh - Al Hilal game.

For the League's week 21 results :
Al Ittihad - Naser 74-73
Al Jazeera - Al Shabab 82-58
Al Yarmook - Al Wahda 73-75
Tahade - Al Hilal 54-57
Al Madina - Al Ahli Tripoli 63-88
Ahli Benghazi - Moroj 74-47

frpm africabasket.com

Seven Stars beat Predio CVT 78 to 64 in the second game of the much awaited play off semi-finals of the Santiago South Regional Championship of Basketball.

First the protest from Predio CVT, which took too long to be decided by the Federation, and second the referees going on strike, requesting their delayed payment. In the end, and agreement was reached with the direction of the Association of Basketball for Santiago South, and the games went on.
The game was somewhat balanced in the first period, with Seven Stars taking a slight advantage of 4 points, (18-14), but going into the break the balance continued, and at halftime both teams were tied at 30 points. In the third period, Seven clearly the much better team, pulling away from Predio CVT, and finishing the period with a 15 points lead (57-42). The fourth and final period, saw Seven managing their lead and take the victory, 78 to 64.
The next game, and final game of the semi-finals, is scheduled for next Wednesday. The series is now tied 1 a piece. Predio CVT taking the first game, thanks to the Federations decion to penalize Seven with a forfeit, for using and illegal player.
The winner of the next game on Wednesday will play ABC, they have been waiting for more than a month for the other finalist of the Santiago South Regional Championship of Basketball.

by Oliver Albert

Despite losing to host Dar es Salaam in their preliminary match, Mwanza basketball team yesterday revived hope of progressing well in the Inter-Cities championship after beating Kampala by 47-40 points in a match played at the National Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Up to the end of the opening quarter, Mwanza were ahead of their opponents by 15-13.
The lake side city boys picked up after introduction of Juma Kisoky who made a big difference in attacks with 19 points to his credit to extend the lead to 32-28 at the half time mark.
The highly contested game saw Mwanza team struggling to edge visiting Kampala side that reduced the margin to trail by a mere two points at the end of the third quarter (35-33).

Kisoky added three more points.
Mwanza team skipper Kizito Bahati said they are determined to put up a spirited fight in the subsequent games.
"We started the match at cracking pace especially in the first two quarters although we under-performed in the third one," said Kizito.
Kampala's skipper Moses Opera said it was one of the tough matches they have played and they were stunned by the quality of display by of their opponents.
In another match played at the same venue, hosts Dar es Salaam wrapped up 68-26 points in a one-sided encounter against Arusha.
Up to the half time mark, Dar es Salaam were leading by 30-15 points.

by Julius Mbaraga
Kigali

This year's liberation basketball tournament could go down to the wire after attracting the country's top guns.
The three-day event which throws off today has attracted reigning champions APR, the league's defending champions marine, last year's play-off finalists CSK A and 2004 league champions Espoir.
CSK A who will open the event's action at Amahoro indoor stadium with a clash against Kigali Institute of Education (KIE) are expected to have an easy go today.
In the other day's fixtures, UGB take on Espoir at Amahoro while Marine entertains Rwanda National University (UNR) in the NPC sports hall.
Cliff Owuor's indomitable lions will open their title defense tomorrow at Primature with a clash against UNR before logging heads with Marine at Amahoro later in the day.
The annual event has also attracted four ladies' clubs; APR, UNR, KIE and ISAE.
At the end of the three-day event, the top four clubs in both categories will qualify for the international version slated for next weekend.

by Phillip Corry
Kampala

A-1 Challenge women's basketball side has received a sh2m boost for their ten-year anniversary tournament slated for Saturday at the YMCA courts. Alexander Forbes, an insurance brokerage firm, handed over the package at a ceremony held at the firm's head office in Bugoloobi on Wednesday.

"It is a pleasure to be part of this tournament as this is part of our corporate responsibility," Ismail Balikowa, Forbes clientele relationship manager said. "We shall take keen interest in the event and we want to see the progress of this team." Claire Muhumuza, A-1 Challenge spokesperson, expressed gratitude for the sponsorship and said they are looking forward to a successful two days of quality basketball from top clubs in the country. A-1 Challenge was founded in 1998 with the objective of creating a forum for the promotion of youth development and the dissemination of life skills for the girl child in Uganda.

Five men's teams and five women sides have entered the two-day tournament. The men include Falcons, Knight Riders, Miracle, Warriors and Sadolin Power. The women are MUK Sparks, Amazon Rhinos, MUK Cubs, Victoria Lakers and the hosts, A1.

Other sponsors include NTV, MTV, Mirinda Pineapple, Aptin Media, Kagga Limited, Club Silk and Rwenzori Water.

Union Bank basketball club Wednesday continue its smooth run with an 80-52 points win over Chariot basketball club in the Lagos City league.

The Stallion as the Bode Thomas-based Lagos side is also known went all out from the blast of the referees whistle winning in all four quarters 21-08, 15-13, 17-11 and 27-20.
Not even the presence of Anyebe Alexandra and Abel Baraya both of premier league sides Yelwa Hawks of Bauchi and Customs of Lagos could save the day for the Chariot from losing scandalously.

In the first City league game decided earlier in the day Raptors Academy won the battle of the academies with a narrow 48-46 points victory over Rookies Academy.
Rookies won three of the four quarters but still lost the keenly contested game 09-08, 12-17, 11-10 and 14-13.
The city league takes the back stage from Thursday as the final phase of the Zenith Bank Women league starts today at the sports hall of the national stadium, Lagos with First Bank basketball club sure to carry the day having won all eighteen games played in first and second phases decided in Abuja and Enugu.
And in the premier league visiting Niger Potters roses from the 70-62 points lose to Union Bank basketball club on Tuesday to beat Customs basketball 94-89 in a thrilling encounter.
Potters won the first quarter 26-20 while the Customs tutored by stand-in coach Abba Mohammed raised it game in the second quarter to win by 33-19 points, Potters came back forcefully in the third quarter and the effort paid off as it picked the quarter 37-20 points leaving Customs to roll back in the last quarter 16-12 points for a cumulative scoreline of 94-89 points.

Jeff Xavier (185-G-85) of Providence College (USA)
Rodrigo Mascarenhas (197-F-80) of Desportivo 1. De Agosto Luanda (ANG)
Marques Houtman (190-G-79) of Desportivo 1. De Agosto Luanda (ANG)
Mario Correia (189-G-78) of Promade Cabinda (ANG)
Aldevino Lima (203-C-86) of Northeastern University (USA)
Tony Barros (193-F-84) of University of Massachusetts Boston (USA)
Odair Sanches (180-G-82) of Seven Stars
Jorge Gomes
Peter Cipriano (206-F-83) of Kouvot Kouvola (FIN)
Avery Oliver (193-F-83) of TV Hohenlimburg (GER)
Ivan Almeida (197-F-89) of Mohawk Valley CC (USA)
Fidel Mendonca (191-F-84) of Olivais Coimbra/Chamag (POR)
Abdulay Faty (205-C-85) of Desportivo da Huila (ANG)

Head Coach: Eric Silva

by Ishola Bashir

Brand Manager (Nestle Milo), Mr. Femi Akintola has praised the teamwork and cooperation shown by participants that have accounted for the huge successes recorded at the annual Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championships over the last 10 years.
Akintola made the remarks at the finals of the Savannah Conference of the championship, which took place at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.
He recalled that the championship started 10 years ago with only 500 schools across the country, but today the championship has expanded so much that over 5, 000 schools now take part in the annual event. "The joy of Nestle Milo is that some of the products of the championship are now playing for Nigeria, while some others are playing professional basketball outside the country" Akintola said.

He added that apart from catching the talented players at a very young age, there is also an opportunity for the organisers to select the Top 50 from the participants at the conference who will move into the Nestle Milo/NBA Top 50 camp, where the players will receive special training from experienced basketball players and scouts from the NBA.
Meanwhile, the head coach of the Kaduna state team, Mallam Sani Turi has advised the organisers to use only the best set of referees throughout the conference and for the finals billed for Lagos.

Turi's team lost the male title to the home-based Kano team, Army Day Secondary School, Kano by 43-40 points at the conference final.

by Oliver Albert

The Mbeya basketball team yesterday made an impressive show to beat Arusha by 72-56 points in the ongoing Inter-city championships at the National Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The winners were leading by 17-11 points at the end of the opening quarter as their player Humphrey George posted eight points.
At half time Mbeya was still in command with the scoreboard reading 44-29.
The losers took the third quarter by storm but profligate finishing became their nemesis as they persistently trailed by 46-55.
At the end of the match George and Adam Mwanjela accumulated 28 and 19 points while Chelu Mapoli and Rahim Baimu from Arusha scored 15 and 8 points, respectively.
Before yesterday's match hosts Dar es Salaam started the tournament impressively by knocking out visiting Kampala City by 57-32 points in the opener.
The Dar es Salaam team went on to wrap another victory yesterday after breezing past Mwanza by 67-44 points with Gilbert Batungi scoring 14 points while Ali Mohamed managed 12.
Juma Kisoki and Wilson Masenje scored for Mwanza each with 10 and six points, respectively.

Mwanza ladies too suffered a defeat at the hands of Kampala by 32-60 with winners leading by 43-20 at the half time mark.
Kampala's scorers were Mirium Hamala (10) and Nabulohi Francis (13). Hadija Kalambo and Agnes Njavike scored 5 and 6 points respectively for the Mwanza team.

On today's fixture Dar es Salaam meets Mbeya, Kampala plays Mwanza, Arusha locks horns with Kampala while Dar es Salaam women team dates Mombasa.

Niger Potters of Minna began their Road Trip games through the Atlantic Conference of the Nigeria Premier League on a good note on Monday beating Delta Force of Asaba 76-40. The convincing margin, analysts believed had set the tone that the Potters will possibly have the best result by any Savannah Conference team through the region but they fell the following day to Union Bank 70-62 in a match played at the National Stadium in Lagos.

The Monday result achieved against Delta means that the Asaba based team have lost three home games to visiting Savannah clubs except for the singular victory over a hapless Tapgun Rockets. They may equally find it very tough beating any of the remaining three teams yet to go on tour through that location.

In Lagos on Tuesday the Potters showed quality start as they kept the lead established by hosts Union Bank to three points through the second quarter. The third quarter was the undoing for the team based North West of Abuja as they recorded high percentage turnovers off their passes. The turnovers gave the Bankers a 20-point cushion at a time but the fight back in the final quarter reduced the gap to 8 points.

The Potters will continue with their games through Saturday with the match against the Customs on Wednesday; a match against Lagos Islanders on Thursday and Dodan Warriors on Friday. The series ends against Ebun Comets.

By Pius Ayinor
FIBA.com

It was sweet victory for Union Bank basketball club of Lagos in a return premier league fixture against visiting Savannah Conference power-house Niger Potters basketball club of Minna Tuesday night at the sports hall of the Lagos National Stadium.
Both sides gave a good account of themselves with the Minna-based Potters coming from 20 points down at the close of the third quarter to lose gallantly by just eight points 70-62 to the Atlantic Conference strong team.
Potters guard and playmaker, Abubakar Usman and Union Bank guard/forward, William Ndounmbe were the star-players of the night with Usman urging his teammates on in the tension soaked encounter.
Cameroonian-born Ndounmbe who was spectacular on the night told our correspondent after the match that the game brought the best out of him and his teammates who surrendered to the Potters in the last quarter of their first road-trip game in Minna last month when one of their point guard, Daniel Daudu sustained a serious injury.
Both sides shared the quarters evenly with Union Bank winning in the first and third quarters (20-14 and 27-17) while Potters won in the second and fourth quarters (10-09 and 21-14).
Potters who on Monday defeated Delta Force basketball club of Asaba in its first road game to the Atlantic conference 76-40 points will today take on Nigeria Customs Service basketball club of Lagos.

..Whales, Comets win in Lagos City league

Whales basketball club Tuesday defeated Flames basketball club by 67-36 points in a Lagos City league game played at the sports hall of the National stadium, Lagos.
Whales coached by Charles Osho clearly out played the Flames in all department of the game winning in all four quarters 19-11, 16-08, 13-03 and 19-14 to brighten its chances of making it to the playoffs stage of the league.
Also on Tuesday, premier league side, Ebun Comets basketball club struggled to beat little known Rookies Academy by 44-31 points.
The Comets tutored by former Nigeria national team head coach, Ayo Bakare who may have underrated the Rookies who featured players between ages 13 and 17 have to fall back on experience and power play to out wit the Rookies who gave a good account of themselves with the fans cheering every of their moves against Comets.
The Comets won in three of the four quarters 13-06, 09-08, 13-07 and 09-10 to avoid a shock defeat.

Action continues today in the city league with the Rookies taking on the Raptors in a battle of the Academies at noon while Chariot will engage Union Bank at 14.00 hours before the big one between Customs and Potters at 16.00 hours.

by Olusegun Ikuesan

by Ishola Bashir
Ilorin

The central onference of the on-going Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship will begin in Ilorin tomorrow Thursday, June 26 to end on Saturday, June 28.

Checks reveal that arrangements have been concluded for the successful hosting and organisation of the conference matches as all the teams billed for the championship started arriving yesterday Tuesday, June 24 for the battle. Meanwhile, Kaduna state female team, Queen Amina College, Kaduna, and their Kano state male counterparts, Army Day Secondary School, Bukavu, have clinched the top titles at the Savannah conference finals of the Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championships recently concluded at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano. Both teams have now qualified to participate at the national finals.

The Queen Amina College girls from Kaduna, who were the Savannah conference defending champions, outclassed their opponents from Ahmadiyya College, Kano in all departments. They showed better dribbling skills and effectively utilized their heights to make more baskets to win by 38-30 points.
However, the boys' final between Army Day Secondary School, Kano and Al Huda-Huda College, Zaria, was keenly contested. The Kano boys, backed by their teeming home supporters managed a close win of 43-40 points to bring the match to a befitting end.
National coordinator of the Championships, Col. Sam Ahmedu (Rtd) praised the high standard of play exhibited by the players. He said the national finals slated for Lagos later in the year promises to be electrifying.
After the Savannah conference final, the train moved from Kano to Bauchi where the Sahara conference was held. And after the central conference in Ilorin, Enugu will host the Equatorial conference from June 29 to July 4 while Asaba will play host to the Atlantic conference from July 5 to 9 and Ibadan will host the last wetern conference from July 10 to 13.

By Charles Mutebi and Chris Ocowun

STEVEN Okias, Joshua Etalu and Francis Kasekende shook off the lag of the long trip to lead the Kyambogo Warriors to an 85-58 away victory over the Gulu Hawks in the MTN-sponsored FUBA men’s division one league on Sunday.
The trio scored 14 points each as the Warriors ensured they end the league’s first round with a two-point advantage atop the men’s top flight with 17 points.
Even defeat would have given last year’s finalists a one-point lead over second-place KIU (15 points) at the recess but defeating the Warriors was always a big task for the Hawks, for whom Moses Ochan top-scored with 18 points.
That said, overpowering the Hawks is no mean task as the Nkumba Marines found out a day earlier.
The two-time champions were upset 97-73, a result that ensured the Hawks, promoted from the second division this season, ended the first round with four wins, three of them against sides that have been in the top division for years.

BY JULIUS MBARAGA

Karim Nkusi scored a season high 28 points to lead APR’s Indomitable Lions to a convincing 124-49 win over Cyangugu’s Rusizi at Kimisagara courts on Sunday.

The shooting forward also ended the game with six rebounds to guide the former champions to their fourth consecutive win in as many games that took them to the top of the table.

“We played well today and the fact that we are still unbeaten in the league after playing teams like Espoir and Rusizi is something,” APR’s Kenyan coach Cliff Owuor said.
The APR game did great damage to Rusizi, who almost faltered against the league’s perennial losers Kigali Institute of Education (KIE). KIE almost snapped their losing streak of the season with a close 65-67 loss.
Else where, CSK A dropped their first points of the season after a thrilling contest against the defending champions Marine.
Despite leading in the first three quarters of the game, Marine rallied from an eight point deficit to see off last year’s losing finalists 64-60.
UGB and Espoir also walked way with default points after Rwanda National University (NUR)’s failure to show up.

In the ladies’ category, APR and ISAE registered solid starts to the league. The reigning champions crushed Kabgayi 147-30 while ISAE silenced KIE with a 54-21 victory.

PREMIUM COBRAS (Men’s Division One) and HotShots (Women’s League) are in the lead at the halfway stage of their championships.

The Cobras, who did not look like championship material – especially after easily losing 59-71 to Baya – brought themselves back into contention with a come-from-behind 89-86 win against defending champions PLS Hawks.
On this occasion, their go-to guy – Nigerian Alao Solomon – scored a season-leading 52 points to bring Premium Cobras’ points tally to 17.
Coach Guy Hall’s team thus lead the Hawks on the head-to-head rule as the reigning champions also boast 17 points after brushing aside Baya’s challenge in an 87-78 win last Saturday at the Palais des Sports.
Reigning basketballer of the year, Ugandan Stephen Omony came off the bench to score a game-high 18 points in his first match of the season after returning from his homeland only last Thursday.
It’s going to be interesting to see Omony square up against Solomon in the second-round fixture, and already PLS Hawks coach Tony Juliette has said the match is going to be a “cracker”.
On Sunday, Angels beat Razors 86-75 to shoot to fifth place in the standings with 14 points.
On holiday from China where he is studying, Steven Servina showed he has lost none of his scoring abilities with a game-high 34 points, including five 3-pointers.
Interestingly this year, Men’s Division One matches will be played on Praslin and the first game is slated for Saturday July 19. Premium Cobras will travel to Praslin to face Praslin Warriors at the Grand Anse court.
This is a good opportunity for Praslinois to see some of the country’s best teams and players in action.

In the Women’s League, HotShots haven’t put a foot wrong in five matches and they have a maximum 10 points.
Losers to HotShots on a 46-57 score in the first-round match-up, defending champs Anse Etoile Stars consolidated second place with nine points after beating bottom side Juniors 109-19 on Sunday.
The Stars had six players scoring in double figures – skipper Simone Malbrook (24 points), Lucia Souffe (16), Georgia Désir (16), Dynah Louis (13), Karil Thélermont (10) and Jennifer Bonne (10).
As for Juniors, they were led in scoring by Samia Asba with 10 points.
In the Men’s Division Two, RA Herons walked over Fire Brigade.

Final Results
Despite IRTs management complains, the Moroccan Federation choose Tetouan for hosting the 2008 final. Only 2000 IRTs fans watched the game while 5000 stayed outside the small gymnasium. Never the less, Tangiers crowd has helped and supported his team whenever she needed.
The final was intense and somewhat disappointing concerning the level of play. ASS struggled against IRT 2-3 zone defense, and IRT stars players lacked to shine mainly because of the good ASS men to men defense. Lot of turnovers and a very low shooting range from both teams, explains the low score at the end of regulation time: 52-52. The extratime saw a beautiful duel between Zakaria Mesbahi (ASS) and Tunisian Marouane Kechrid (IRT). Both of them took the responsibility of the game and showed all their talents during the last minutes of the game. Marouane Kechrid was better this time, scoring 15 points in the last 5 minutes of the game. Final score: 71- 68. IRT won his second League Championship.
Finals MVP: Marouane Kechrid (IRT)
Best coach of the year (elected by the Moroccan Basketball Coaches Associaton (AMEB): Nizar Mesbahi (IRT)

Play-off Semi finals Results:
The 2008 Semi-finals were intense and somehow surprising.
IRT won the first game at home versus MAS and create the surprise with another win at Fs. IRT players simply played their best game of the season when no one was expecting it (Khalfi scoring 9 out of 10 three points shot, kajaj and Papis ending the game with a triple double). IRT got qualified to the 2008 Final with 2-0, sending MAS for an early summer break.
The second semi final saw ASS winning WAC in a 2-1 score games. ASS had the advantage to play the 3rd game at home and coach Driss Houari did not miss the chance to take his team to his career 14th final game.

by Caxton Apollo
Nairobi

Defending champions Kenya Commercial Bank Lions and Co-operative Bank kept their stranglehold on the basketball Premier League first leg following last weekend's matches in Nairobi.
The KCB Lions maintained their seven-match unbeaten record with a 65-47 demolition of United States International University Tigers. Dennis 'Dikembe' Opiyo and Tobias Onyango led Lions to a 29-27 half-time lead. Onyango scored 32 points while Opiyo had 11 for the Lions. Co-op Bank rocked Kenyatta University Pirates 98-70. They led 47-30 at half-time. Lewis Muya led the bankers with 20 points, while Wycliffe Ochieng contributed 16.
Griffins Ligare had a game-high 26 points and team-mate Phil Dinga 16 for the students. In the women's top tie, Hilda Luvandwa hit 15 points while Miria Awori had 20 as USIU Flames beat Strathmore University 59-52. Strathmore trailed 33-14 at the breather. Posta maintained their top spot in the men's Division One league when they defeated World Hope 99-68. Veteran Ben Oluoch and William Otieno scored 18 points each for Posta, who led 48-36 at half-time. Conrad Wafula got 17 points while Morris Obilo replied with 12 for World Hope.
Mennonites hit Juja-based Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology 65-40. The first two quarters were closely contested with Mennonites squeezing a narrow 23-20 half-time lead. Bernard Chege scored 18 points for Mennonites while Eugene Mutabele had 17 for JKUAT. New-comers Blazers hit African Nazarene University 78-49 to register a double from their two tight weekend fixtures. Ken Keya scored 28 points while Fidney Ochieng shot 11 for Blazers, who led 41-27 at half-time. Peter Gathungu replied with 26 points for ANU.

Blazers had started their weekend assignments well with a 66-53 win over the JKUAT.

Full results: KCB Lions 65 Tigers 47, Flames 59 Strathmore University 52, Posta 99 World Hope 68, Co-op Bank 98 Pirates 70, Mennonites 65 JKUAT 40, Blazers 78 ANU 49, JKUAT 53 Blazers 66.

by Majuto Omary

Dar es Salaam city basketball team "The Dream Team" meet Kampala in the tenth edition of the Inter-Cities tourney's opener at the National Indoor Stadium today.
Basketball Dar es Salaam (BD) information officer Michael Maluwe said yesterday that the match takes off 16.00 hours .
All preparations for the tournament are over and Foreign Affairs Minister Bernard Membe is expected to grace the opening ceremony, he stated.
The opening match will be preceded by the opening ceremony at 14.00.
The Kampala basketball team had already arrived in Dar while teams from Nairobi, Jinja and Mombasa were expected to arrive late yesterday.
Other teams to feature in the tournament are Mwanza, Mbeya, Arusha, Zanzibar, Addis Ababa, Kigali, Lumbumbashi and Mogadishu.
The fixture for the ladies teams is expected to be released today, with teams from Dar es Salaam, Mombasa, Kampala and Nairobi confirming to compete.
Uniliver is the main sponsor of the tourney through its detergent brand, Omo.

HE was a factor in his first game of the season as PLS Hawks brushed aside Baya’s challenge in an 87-78 win to stay in the race for this year’s Men’s Division One title.

Reigning basketballer of the year, Ugandan Stephen Omony came off the bench to score aOmony (no. 12) attacks the Baya hoop game-high 18 points on Saturday at the Palais des Sports as the Hawks continued their march towards the defence of their own title.
Happy with the win, coach Tony Juliette told Sports Nation that “we’re still in the race. The second-round fixture between PLS Hawks and Premium Cobras is going to be a cracker.”
Baya looked capable of inflicting a second first-round defeat on the Hawks as they led 22-17 at the end of the first quarter, but they lacked a strong bench to take the baton from the starters.
Although PLS Hawks outscored them 27-18 in the second quarter for a four-point – 44-40 – half-time lead, Baya kept themselves in the match until coach Tony Juliette’s team used a 15-8 run spanning from midway through the third 10-minute spell.
Seychelles centre Rodney Lozé completed the run with a three-point play when fouled by Robert Léon on a lay-up in the first minute of the fourth quarter to give PLS Hawks their first double-digit lead at 10 points – 69-59.
The game got out of Baya’s hands when Omony tipped in a missed attempt and followed that with an effort from downtown to bring the score to 78-66 with 5 minutes 12 seconds (5:12) left to play.
Although Baya scored 12 more points, they conceded nine as PLS Hawks ran home with victory – their eighth in nine games for 17 points, the same total as leaders premium Cobras who came from the dead to beat them 89-86 on the back of a season-leading 52 points from Nigerian Alao Solomon.
The Hawks, who also won the third and fourth quarters on identical scores of 22-19, can thank their bench for 51 of their points. Other than Omony’s 18 points, Lozé got 16 and Jefferson Nganga netted 15.

Despite their bench getting just 30 points – 17 of those from Seychelles international Dave Roseline, Baya’s starters outscored that of PLS Hawks 48-36.
The loss is Baya’s second in nine games and they are third in the 10-team standings with 16 points. Baya’s other loss came against MBU Rockers on a 75-83 score.
So far this year, the Hawks have beaten Baya twice. Their other was on a 79-64 score in the final of the Jhelum Cup tournament (the new name of the annual Curtain-raiser tournament). Baya won against them 71-64 in the Charity match.

Meanwhile, in the Men’s Division Two, Mont Fleuri Dawgz look good for promotion to the top flight next season with a 70-58 win over Juniors to bring their points tally to 19 after nine wins and one loss in 10 games. They have ended the first of the two-round league at the top of the 11-team table.

In another match in the same division, RA Rockets also got a 51-43 win over Drifters.

G. G.

by Sande Bashaija
Kampala

LEAGUE RESULTS
Livingstone 111-26 TLC
Amazon 64-45 Crane High
Bushcourt 56-48 Biston
Miracle 59-70 KIU

Kampala City Council (KCC) men’s team will have to do without the influential Eric Malinga when they begin their pursuit for honours at the annual Africa Zone 5 Inter Cities tournament in Dar es Salaam tomorrow.

Malinga, the 2007 basketball player of the year, has decided to sit out the tournament because of work commitments. “At least I explained my situation. My hands were tied by responsibilities here and there,” Malinga, who captained Mogas Falcons to a sixth MTN-Fuba League championship last season, said.

The team of 36 (men and women) left on Saturday. His brother Henry Malinga is expected to lead the men’s team in the five-day championship. “Henry traveled today (yesterday) morning. I am sure he will beef up the team,” Eric added. Three-time league top scorer Frances Nabulobi and former MVP Flavia Oketcho are some of the star players on the women’s side, which finished third in last year’s edition in Nairobi .

The Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) has meanwhile accused KCC Leopards officials of tarnishing their name falsely.

KCC earlier this week claimed Fuba general secretary Tom Ocamringa and his assistant Sande Manano had a hand in the defending champions’ 44-47 loss to A-1 Challenge.

Leopards’ team manager Joy Olinga said she was unhappy about the way the duo officiated the game that saw A-1 Challenge finish the first round unbeaten last Friday at YMCA.

But Manano called Daily Monitor on Friday and said:
“What are they protesting? Well, they have managed to put my name in the press for wrong reasons but they won’t stop me from doing the right thing.” Olinga, who two years ago was handed a suspension for allegedly abusing the then Fuba organising secretary Edmund Lumu maintained that some issues have to be ironed out for the league to run properly.

The city of Nabeul in Northern Tunisia is set to host the Arabian Nations Championships starting October 25th and ending November 5th.
The FTBB (Tunisan Basketball Federation) and the UAB (Union of Arabian Basketball) are going to co-host this event and are currently managing together all the details like the accomodation while ART of Tunisia has the exclusive television rights.

In other news, six boys and girls made the journey to the USA (15th-26th of June) to shapen their basketball skills.
The 12 players are:
Islam Ajmi, Gaieth Nakkaa (CA), Firas Hamden (SN), Achraf Laamiri (USM), Alaa Cherif (CAK), Youssef Mejri (CSHL), Khouloud Meftah, Ichraf Bouterra, Lilia Inoubli (ASFJ Item), Azza Ejri (ESS), Zoubeda Arrami (ST) and Abir Aidi (ASFS).

An U-17 Team is currently in Berlin to compete in an international tournament and coach Wahid Aissa has chosen the follwing players:
Sayeh, Bouselmi (EOGK), Ajmi (CA), Kort, Teneben (SN), Jelassi (JAB), Jouedi (JSK), Zoghlami (CAK), Zouaghi (BCB) , Khlaf (SRS), Bouaouina (CSHS), Bouzou (DSG) and Gaddour (USM.

Here down you can find the last results of the Ghana First Division
June 13
Yotive vs Warriors: Yotive did not show giving Warriors the maximum points
June 14
Warriors vs Braves of CEPS : game postponed due to rain
June 18
Flames vs Fire : Flames abandoned the game during the third quarter as they were down by 4 points claiming bad officiating.
June 21
Police vs Panthers : the Police team won 42-37

By Renatha Msungu

East Africa Inter-Cities basketball championships, which are scheduled to begin today at the National Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam, will be sponsored by Uniliver Tanzania Ltd through its soap brand Omo.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the president of East Africa Inter-Cities Basketball tournaments committee, Simon Msofe, stated that Uniliver through Omo had provided a sponsorship totaling Tshs10million which is going to be used for overall preparations of the tournament.
He said that later today, the committee is expected to announce names of others who have also have volunteered to sponsor this year`s championship.
``To a large extent, preparations of the championships are going on well as most of the teams that have confirmed to compete will arrive today, except for Kampala, which was expected to arrive yesterday evening,`` Msofe stated.
The cities that have already confirmed their participation are Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Arusha, Tanga, Mbeya, Zanzibar, Nairobi, Mombasa, Kampala, Bujumbura, Kigali, Addis Ababa and Lusaka.
Teams from Dar es Salaam, the host city, are undertaking training at Zanaki Secondary School grounds.
Meanwhile, Msofe mentioned that the schedule of referees who are going to officiate during the championships will also be revealed today by the tournaments� executive committee.
A total of 20 referees have already begun special training in order to be able to officiate well throughout the tournaments.

The defending champions in both men and women titles are the teams from Nairobi City.

BASKETBALL Union of Zimbabwe president, Addison Chiware, sees a bright future for local basketball. Chiware's optimism stems from an impressive showing by the Zimbabwe U18 national girls' team, during the qualifiers of the Zone Six Africa Nations Championships held in Harare a fortnight ago.

Zimbabwe schoolgirls beat regional powerhouse Angola -- ranked second after Mozambique -- in a two-leg face-off of the regional showpiece.

Angolan schoolboys are the African Nations Champions title-holders and their senior women's side beat Zimbabwe at the regional showdown the country hosted early last year.
Chiware is aiming for top spot in the region through junior development.
"If the junior women's teams continue to get support, there will be continuous improvement such that within five years we can be among the top two in the zone and top five in Africa," she said.
Chiware said the good showing by the U18 women's team gives them a chance of getting a wild card to participate in the Africa Nations Championships set for Tunisia, in September.
Zimbabwe is also one of 10 countries expected to participate at the U18 regional championships set for South Africa in October.
Chiware told Standardsport: "BUZ has committed itself to ensuring that the U18s will always participate in the continental and invitational tournaments, to ensure that the players are exposed to quality competition.
"The Union will track these players and ensure that their needs are catered for in the BUZ development plan. This will see us launch excellence centres in the near future where players can come in and are coached by experienced coaches in the different basic areas targeted for development."

Meanwhile, JBC and Varsity Leopards will represent the country at the Zone Six women clubs championships scheduled for Maputo, Mozambique, from 5-12 July.
JBC and Raiderz will also participate at the men's edition of the regional clubs showdown in Lusaka, Zambia, later in September.

by Caxton Apollo
Nairobi

Champions Kenya Commercial Bank Lions and Co-operative Bank will continue with their 2008 men's basketball Premier League title campaign with easy first leg matches at Nyayo National Stadium this weekend.

On Saturday, Co-op Bank, led by Wycliffe Ochieng, Lewis Muya and George Kamau, confront Pirates at 2 pm. KCB Lions, who beat Kenya Ports Authority 87-68 last weekend, are poised to maintain their unbeaten record when they take on Tigers of the United States International University on Sunday at 4 pm.
Victor Odendo, who has been impressive this season, will team up with Tobias Onyango, Yoni Wanambiro and David Otiso to help KCB Lions grab two crucial first leg points.

In other matches on Saturday, Posta, who are unbeaten in the lower competition, will meet World Hope, Mennonites tackle Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology while

African Nazarene University have a date with new comers Blazers.

In Mombasa, KPA led by Dan Okwiri, Mike Opel and Patrick Kirui will start as favourites to win against visiting International Christian Centre at the KPA Makande gymnasium from 4 pm on Saturday. KPA collected three points from their Nairobi outing last weekend and victory will boost their play-offs hopes.

Stubborn hosts

University of Nairobi Terrorists are in Kisumu to play their stubborn hosts Lakeside at Kenyatta Sports Ground at 1 pm while Cruisers will host University of Nairobi's Dynamites at the same venue from 1 pm.

On Sunday in Nairobi, ANU will play World Hope, Strathmore University women's team will take on Flames of the USIU-A while Blazers meet JKUAT.

Angola's national senior male basketball team is travelling Saturday evening to Spain, for a 20 days training programme aimed at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, set for August this year in China.

Ahead of Beijing, the Angolan team is to compete in the Borislav Stancovik Cup in China, and Diamond tournament of Macau.

Summoned for the competition have been the following players: Kikas Gomes, Olímpio Cipriano, Carlos Almeida, Armando Costa, Felizardo Ambrósio, Vlademir Ricardino, Abdel Bouckar, Eduardo Mingas, Milton Barros, Victor Muzadi, Luís Costa, Carlos Morais, Domingos Bonifácio, Leonel Paulo, Francisco Horácio, Idelfonso Quiteculo, Divaldo Bunga, Emanuel Neto and Miguel Lutonda.

By Charles Mutebi

MTN–FUBA men’s Division One leaders, the Kyambogo Warriors, make the long trip north to engage the second-from-bottom Gulu Hawks on Sunday, in the second of two daunting matches for the home side.

First, the Hawks host the Nkumba Marines, who lie in sixth place and have lost all four of their previous games, and are set to end the first round a couple of slots out of play-off contention.
The Hawks pulled off the upset of the first round when they defeated then-table-leading KIU but the Marines, who remain faithful to the full court press, should pose an overwhelming task.
And so will the Warriors who, while don’t press, possess too much attacking flair to be ultimately threatened by their hosts. The 2007 finalists are tied on 15 points with second-placed Sadolin Power and the Mogas Falcons in third, but lead due to a superior point’s difference.
A win on Sunday will see them finish the first round two points in front, while a loss would leave them just a point ahead.

Meanwhile, the winner of the KIU - Miracle tie will become the third club to end the first round on 15 points and leapfrog Power to second place.

MTN-FUBA League
Men
Gulu, Saturday
Gulu v Nkumba
Gulu v Warriors (Sunday)
YMCA
KIU v Miracle
Women
Crane high v Amazon Rhino

National team of Capre Verde on Monday officially started preparations for FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. After just couple of practices head coach of national team, Eric Silva 'Rico', shows optimism. He called 15 players to join preparations making balance between those who played last year on FIBA African Championship and the others who arrives from Europe and USA. Cape Verde showed pretty good performance last year on above mentioned FIBA African Championship. The team grabbed fantastic victory in the battle for the bronze medal against Egypt 53-51.

Cape Verde is placed in Group B on FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and their rivals will be New Zealand and Germany. Eric Silva stated that if Germany come to Athens without NBA Superstar Dirk Nowitzki (211-F-78) his team will have a chance.

'I will make my players aware that they are capable of fighting neck-a-neck with Germany' - said Silva.

Rico continued to talk with same optimism. He said that his team is very competitive and plays with attitude. Cape Verde counts on win against New Zealand as according to Silva it is the team within their reach. He hopes to avoid Greece in the quarterfinals. Namely, Greeks are the hosts and they have very good team thus it will be very hard to play against them. What is also very important Greeks have very supportive fans what is beside their quality another reason why Rico wants to avoid them.

Cape Verde will have to participate on this tournament without one of their players from the last year's African Championship Mario Jorge (190-G/F-77). Some of the players which Silva called to join preparations of Capre Verde NT are: Rodrigo Mascarenhas (197-F-80), Marques Houtman (190-G-79, college: Stonehill), Mario Correia (189-G-78, college: Bryant), Aldevino Lima (203-C-86), Tony Barros (193-F-84), Odair Santos, Jeff Xavier (185-G-85, college: Manhattan), Jorge Gomes, Peter Cipriano (206-F-83, college: Southern), Avery Oliver (193-F-83, college: Indiana, PA), Ivan Almeida (197-F-89), Fidel Mendonca (191-F-84) and Abdulay Faty.

Forward of NBA team Minnesota Timbervolves, Ryan Gomes (201-F-82, college: Providence), was mentioned as a possible reinforcement for Cape Verde but it seems that he has intention to play for USA at the 2012 Olympics.

President of Cameroonian basketball federation, Chrysogone Noah, announced that national team will start preparations for FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament within the next few days. Namely, Cameroonians should start it on June 10th but it date had to delayed because travel documents for players and staff weren't issued on time. Two Cameroon-based players Serge Elong and Christian could have the biggest problems to show up in Lyon. Namely, the same difficulties abut the visas had some Cameroonian football players in the past. However, president of Cameroonian basketball federation hopes that all necessary papers will be obtained very soon.

Preparation of the Team Cameroon for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens will be held in French city Lyon. The coaching staff decided which 20 players will participate in this project of national team. Coaching staff is strengthen by USA-based coach Lazare Adingono. The biggest problem for Cameroonians for sure is decision of Joakim Noah (211-F/C-85, college: Florida) and Nicolas Batum (201-F-88) to play for France. With these two players Cameroon would have much bigger chances for Beijing. Chrysogone Noah stated that he feels sorry because of their decisions.

'France is able to offer them much better conditions and it is an understandable decision. We have to work very hard in order to improve the professionalism. I am sure when we do it we won't have these kind of problems in the future' - said Chrysogone Noah.

Cameroon is placed in Group D of FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens together with Croatia and Puerto Rico. At the opening day of the tournament on July 14th Cameroon will meet Croatia at 19:30h. Their first rival officially started preparations on Monday. Head coach of Croatian national team, Jasmin Repesa, counts the most on some of top European players Marko Popovic, Dalibor Bagaric and Roko Leni Ukic.

Lagos Islanders got their second whipping of their road games on Wednesday with a 97-59 loss to Plateau Peaks in a match played in Jos. The Islanders who are on Road Trip through the Savannah Conference in the Nigerian Premier League got their first win on Tuesday in that same mini hall used in Jos when they defeated Tapgun Rockets 64-57.

The trip opened with a big loss in Minna against the Niger Potters on Monday. The former national champions Islanders were whipped 102-63.

Peaks were the bookmakers’ favourites over the visiting Lagosians but only few may have predicted correctly such wide margin.

“We didn’t play against a fantastic side but lost to sheer bias officiating. I was ejected just as the third quarter began by the referee who performed below the least standard. And so my players were just on their own through the remaining part. Peaks players were holding, kicking and hitting and I simply pleaded that the referees took proper charge of the game and the guy was infuriated. My player was wrestled to the ground and the call was still against him. That was not a match we played against Peaks,” Ogo Odaudu the Islanders coach told FIBA.COM.

The Islanders tour continues with the match against Bauchi Nets on Thursday and then against Yelwa Hawks the following day in the same Bauchi centre before the final rounds in Kano. In Kano they will battle the Pillars on Saturday and AHIP Giants the next day.

By Pius Ayinor

- EFO # Faso Warriors
The first overtime of the season.
The Stars of EFO had many difficulties to beat the young team of the warriors. Before the match, at the warming, the center of EFO, Osagyevo Ngaka hurt himself and was out for 2 weeks; during the match, his team mates, Leopold Bado, Eric Salou, Stephane ZARE and Achille DIENDERE were fouled out for 5 fouls (all the starting five). It was a black day for the Stars! Coach Charles BADO was asking himself to know how to win this match. Fortunately, there was a player, Herman Ouedraogo who, at 5 seconds of the end of the match, took a long three points shoot, scored it, and thrown his team to the overtime. He worked so hard that he won the match.
Score: 55-54 for EFO, best scorer: A. BAKYONO (Faso Warriors), 13 points


- AS-Sonabel # RCK
For the second time consecutively, the Falcons have been stopped.
As every time, AS-Sonabel played so well during the first quarter; the electricians win it by 14-06. Ibrahim Ouedraogo lead his team and scored 8 of the 14 points. The falcons awaked in the second quarter and gave a 06-24 with their center Losseni DRABO, Telesphore SOME, and the point guard Michael MOMO. With 10 points late at the third quarter, everyone thought that the electricians were out. At this time, Norbert Parkouda (-G) and Ibrahim shown the way to their team; they became more offensive. BAYALA scored his points in the zone. The Falcons had many problems with their defence. At the end of the quarter, there were 6 points between the two teams. Score: 34-40 for the Falcons.
The electricians continued to play hard in the fourth quarter. The best scorer of the falcons, Yves ARISTE couldnt have the ball. Coach Achille COULDIATY put his best defenders on him during the second halftime. The Falcons showed us a big problem: anybody didnt want to work for his team mate. So at the end of the match (45-43), coach COULIBALY substituted Yves by Ismael KONE for a three points shoot. He had to work for the overtime. Yves is the best scorer and he gave many fouls to his defenders; he can get some three throws. Ismael didnt score during all the match.
AS-Sonabel won by: 45-43; the best scorer was Ibrahim Ouedraogo, 17 points


June 15, 2008
- Kadiogo Bulls # AS-Sonabhy
It was the match to know which team will lead the competition (ligue du centre, Ouagadougou) after the first part. The bulls won the first, the second and the third quarter (50-39). In the fourth quarter, Aboubacar Sara (-F) begun his show and scored 12 points of the 17 points of his team (56-46); they gave a (06-17) to the bulls but it was late.
Score: 56-46 for the bulls; best scorer: Aboubacar Sara 20 points

by Michel Pacere from africabasket.com

by Michel Pacere - from africabasket.com
June 05, 2008 - AS-Sonabhy # EFO The stars did it! After defeated the electricians in the fourth quarter, the stars of EFO gave a lesson to the petroliers. They leaded the match from the beginning to the end. Score: 44-52 for EFO Best scorer Aboubacar SARA (AS-Sonabhy) with 20 points - Faso Warriors # AS-Sonabel Score: 38-52 Best scorer: Regis ZOUNGRANA (AS-Sonabel) with 12 points June 07, 2008 - Faso Warriors # ASTY Score: 35-25 for Faso Warriors Best scorer: L.
June 05, 2008
- AS-Sonabhy # EFO
The stars did it! After defeated the electricians in the fourth quarter, the stars of EFO gave a lesson to the petroliers. They leaded the match from the beginning to the end.
Score: 44-52 for EFO
Best scorer Aboubacar SARA (AS-Sonabhy) with 20 points

- Faso Warriors # AS-Sonabel
Score: 38-52
Best scorer: Regis ZOUNGRANA (AS-Sonabel) with 12 points


June 07, 2008
- Faso Warriors # ASTY
Score: 35-25 for Faso Warriors
Best scorer: L. SIMPORE (ASTY): 11 points


- AS-Sonabel # Kadiogo Bulls
Its hard to know who will be the best team this year. The Bulls of Kadiogo, the second team of the last season, lost a match against the electricians.
Score: 39-24 for AS-Sonabel
Best scorer: J.P. BAYALA (AS-Sonabel): 16 points

June 08, 2008
- RCK # AS-Sonabhy
Score: 65-51 for RCK
Best scorer: Ismael KONE (RCK): 20 points

June 11, 2008
- EFO # ASTY
Score: 70-35 for EFO
Best scorer: Ludo SIMPORE (ASTY), 18 points

June 12, 2008
The Thursday was the day of every danger for the big teams; there were two matches!
The first match was between the Bulls and the falcons. The falcons never failed this season and they want to show that they are the best team. But the Bulls needed a victory after failed against the Electricians.
For the second match, after winning against the bulls, the electricians wanted to show that it was not a chance! The Petroliers needed a win if they want to have a chance for the second part of the competition.

- Kadiogo Bulls # RCK
The Bulls stopped the Falcons! It was a big match! The falcons begun the match slowly; they were sure that they can beat the Bulls. They were wrong! Coach Aboubacar DABIRE work hard these last days with his team. His one on one defence became hard. His system with a center Mamadou Sawadogo (-C) and his power forward (Isaac Palenfo (-C)) was a problem for the falcons. They win the first quarter by 9-6. In the second quarter, the Falcons awaked and Ben Sada DABIRE, Ismal KONE, Yves ARISTE became skilful. They move faster and score more. They win the second quarter (14-19). At the half time, the score was 23-25 for RCK.
The third quarter was for the Bulls and they lead the match, 32-30.
In the last quarter, the bench of the Falcons had to do the difference, but Coach COULIBALY will show us nothing but some bad choices. Ismal KONE was not in the game; he lost many shoots and the coach didnt want to take the substitution. Yves ARISTE worked hard to win the match (he was on fire). He got the last ball at 17 seconds of the end; he chose to give it to Ismal. He was wrong. Ismal did an offensive foul and lost the ball.
Final score: 43-42 for Kadiogo Bulls; Best scorer: Yves ARISTE with 21 points.

- AS-Sonabhy # AS-Sonabel
As every time, the Electricians lead the first halftime. Ibrahim OUEDRAOGO, Roland BASSINDJA and Norbert Parkouda (-G) play very well. At the halftime, AS-Sonabel leads the score by 14-24.
For the third quarter, the center BAYALA (Electrician) had 3 fouls. Coach COULDIATY leads the match but he let him in the game. The point guard Norbert Parkouda was tired but he didnt want to substitute him. BAYALA did a foul and took a technical foul in the same action. From that, AS-Sonabhy, with Aboubacar SARA, RenAƒÂ© OUEDRAOGO and Hamed Fabre (-G) speeded up the game. They got many free throws. At the end of the quarter, they were three points late (25-28).
The last quarter was for the Petroliers; they gave a 17-06 to the electricians and win the match.
Score: 42-34 for AS-Sonabhy; best scorer: Norbert Parkouda (AS-SONABEL) 13 points

by Pius Ayinor
Lagos

Kano Pillars, who had lost to Plateau Peaks in the last three years, took one back at the Jos team on Sunday by beating them 75-62 in one of the matches played over the weekend in the Premier League of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).
Last night Lagos Islanders on road trip through the Savannah Conference defeated Tapgun Rockets of Jos 64-57. The match was played in Jos.
"It was one game we worked hard to win but we were quite under a lot of pressure to win because of the lopsided record Peaks have over our team. Thank God we got this one for a start and from now we then continue to play to reverse the trend," Sani Ahmed, the coach of Pillars told THISDAYSports online from Kano after the match.
Pillars entered the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano for the encounter trailing 0-4 in the last four meets both home and away and on neutral grounds during qualifiers into the league final play offs. This victory in Kano put a hold to the dominance of Peaks who are, however, still in good stead to pick a spot for the final play off. The dominance of Peaks over Pillars through the period saw them winning the Premier League at the national level two years ago. Kano Pillars on their part are also steadying their position for a slot from the Savannah Conference for the play off holding in August.
In Lagos the Sunday game could not hold at the National Stadium as Delta Force of Asaba, who were scheduled to play against Dodan Warriors, failed to turn up for the game. The Delta team claimed they were involved in a road accident on Saturday on their way to Lagos from the trip.
"For now we can't order a walkover until the accident claim is verified. If true then a new date has to be fixed otherwise it is a walkover plus sanction for the Delta team," a Federation official said.
Delta Force has turned out the weeping team of the league with just one win and have struggled to meet up with the requirements of the system due to cash crunch.

by Julius Mbaraga
Kigali

The first ever junior basketball league is in the offing according to Innocent Karuhije, the technical advisor of the national basketball federation, Ferwaba.

The league which will feature both boys and girls has attracted 24 clubs most of which originate from secondary schools in and around Kigali.
The federation has promised to support the clubs in a number of ways.
"We (federation) shall provide them with transport and coaches; most of whom are certified level 1 and level 2 coaches," the official clarified.
Karuhije yesterday explained to Times Sport that the clubs are a product of the 'identification and development of talent' program which started last year.
The program, which was started by the federation and funded by the ministry of Culture and Sports, attracted over 300 students.
"The federation is very grateful to the sports ministry for their support to the project and we are confident that it will yield results in the near future," Karuhije stressed.
The women's national basketball league is also scheduled to kick off this Saturday.
APR is the defending champion after a late charge saw it oust Rwanda National University.

The athletes Olímpio Cipriano, Kikas Gomes (both from 1º de Agosto) and Carlos Morais (Petro de Luanda) are the main candidates for the 2008 national senior males basketball championship's Most Valuable Player (MVP), whose winner will be known this evening.
The winner will be known during a gala organised by the Angolan Basketball Federation. Petro´s shooting guard Carlos Morais is the current holder of the MVP.
Besides MVP, they will be also the award for the best athletes on rebound, passes, recoveries, scoring from two and three points positions, best coach, referee and fair play athlete.

Lagos Islanders who are on Road Trip through the Savannah Conference in the Nigerian Premier League got their first win on Tuesday when they defeated host team Tapgun Rockets 64-57. The match played in Jos, Plateau State was the second for the Islanders who left the commercial city of Lagos by the weekend for the long journey through the northern region of the country.

The trip opened with the match in Minna against the Niger Potters on Monday. It was a game of former national champions and Islanders were well drilled 102-63. It was the widest winning margin for Potters in Minna this season.
"All we needed in Minna was the participatory one point which we got. The scare of what nearly happened when Union Bank point guard got injured here is just too fresh for us to play to win. We are still in good spot for the play off so there isn't any need killing ourselves over a point," an official of the Islanders team told FIBA.COM.
In Jos the Islanders were favoured by bookmakers to win in the match against the Rockets and they got the maximum points. They are billed to play the second match in Jos against Plateau Peaks but that pairing is of different class as the Peaks are one time league champions. The conditions favour Peaks to win although Peaks just returned from Kano where they were beaten 75-62 by the Pillars.
The Islanders will continue with the trip with a move to Bauchi on Thursday where they will play Bauchi Nets and Yelwa Hawks before the final rounds in Kano by the weekeend.

By Pius Ayinor

Atlantic conference of the Nigeria Basketball Federation premier league side, Islanders basketball club of Lagos secured a valuable win over Tapgun Rockets basketball club of Jos Tuesday after losing scandalously to Niger Potters basketball club of Minna on Monday.
The Coach Ogoh Odaudu side lost to the Minna-based Potters by 102-63 points on Monday the worst lose by the club this season but rose from that challenge to humble Tapgun by 64-57 points.
According to the Islanders coach who says, the lose to Potters does not in any way reflect the strength of the Minna side but just for his side to record a point without much ado.
“WE decide to take the game against Potters with calm so as to avoid the type ugly incidence to happen when Union Bank basketball club came for their road-game when they almost lost a player due to hard play from one of the Potters player.
“We are going to do our best to see if we can pick one or two more games in order to shore up our chances of a playoffs slot at the end of the regular games.
Islanders play Plateau Peaks Wednesday before moving to Bauchi where they will confront home side Bauchi Net on Thursday and Yelwa Hawks on Friday.

By Olusegun Ikuesan

by PHILIP ONYANGO


Assistant Minister in the office of the Prime Minister Alfred Khangati is happy that huge crowds are turning up to watch national classic basketball league matches at the Nyayo National Stadium Gym.

Khangati, who together with his family joined huge crowd of fans to watch Sunday’s league matches, said it would be easier for the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) to get sponsors as a result and urged the federation officials to engage in sound marketing strategies.

“I’m personally very impressed with the huge crowds that I can see here and the high standards of the game being played and believe that very soon , sponsors will be knocking at your doors”, the former Kenya Volleyball Federation boss said during the Kenya Commercial Bank Lions and Kenya Ports Authority contest , which was won 88-67 by the Lions.

Khangati said he would ensure that Prime Minister Raila Odinga joins other basketball fans at Nyayo to watch the games soon. “My boss loves all sports and very soon he will be sitting with you here at Nyayo to watch some top basketball action himself,” Khangati, who was flanked by KBF chairman Paul Otula and treasurer Peter Orero, said in reference to Mr Odinga who is a frequent visitor at the local soccer stadiums for top football action.

Under-18 teams
Khangati promised that his office will support the Kenya under 18 boys and girls basketball teams currently in training for the zone five Africa nations cup qualifiers set for August 10-16 in Uganda. “I have told the KBF officials to write a letter to us and I promise to use every means to ensure the national junior teams to Uganda is funded and kitted by the National Olympics Committee since this will also be an important national assignment,”he said.

Orero and Otula said students can watch the league matches for free as long as they are in school uniform. He wants all the basketball teachers to ensure their students throng the Nyayo gym to watch league matches every weekend saying this will improve the sport's standards in the schools in the long run.

Orero said students will only be required to produce school identity cards during holidays to ensure continuity. “We are happy that the crowds are back and that we can now afford to allow students free entry as one way of helping to develop the game of basketball among schools,”Orero who is also the principal of Langata High School said.

By Charles Mutebi

MTN-FUBA League
Women
A1 47 Leopards 44
Bucks 65 Nabisunsa 60
Canons 69 Cubs 43
Men
Power 81 Miracle 47

THE KCC Leopards presented A1 Challenge with their toughest test yet in the women’s MTN-FUBA league but once again they were up to it, emerging 47- 44 victors at the end of the weekend contest at YMCA.

The Leopards came out of the blocks faster and ended the first quarter 10-6 ahead but A1 bounced back and outscored them 16-5 in the second.

The Leopards fought back after the half to score 17-12 in the third but A1 won a fiercely contested last quarter 13-12 to edge out a completely close contest.

FRESH from their come-from-behind 89-86 win over defending champions PLS Hawks, Premium Cobras shot to the top of the Men’s Division One standings over the weekend at Victoria Gymnasium.

It is only after this coming weekend’s match between PLS Hawks and Baya that coach Guy Hall’s team will know if they have held on to top spot. A win for Baya will see them move back into first place because they won against Premium Cobras, while a victory for PLS Hawks will be to Premium Cobras’ advantage because of their first-round win against the champions.

Premium Cobras 95 … RC Dynamics 53

The main mover in Premium Cobras’ win against the Hawks, as he almost single-handedly destroyed them, Nigerian Alao Solomon did not come anywhere to repeating the 52-point performance of the previous weekend but he still led his teammates in scoring with 35 points, including three 3-pointers.
Seychelles’ forward Dominique Pillay was the second best scorer with 12 points for the
former champions who won all four quarters – 15-11, 31-15, 33-14 and 14-13 – on their way to the top with 17 points after eight wins and a loss.
RC Dynamics, who conceded their fifth defeat in nine games, got 16 points from Kenneth Domingue and 15 from Jean-Paul Desaubin.

PLS Hawks 95 … MBU Rockers 76

Both MBU Rockers and PLS Hawks had finished on the losing end in their previous matches and it was important for them to get back on the winning track. Victory went the defending champions’ way on a 95-76 score.
As both sets of players came out to play hard to avoid consecutive defeats, the party was not to be as players slipped on the glossy refurbished floor of the Victoria Gymnasium court, which had become slippery due to heavy rain coming in from the sides and the roof.
The Hawks ran riots early on with Seychelles’ centre Rodney Lozé and shooting guard Jefferson Nganga coming off the bench to lead them in scoring with 28 and 24 points respectively.
After trailing the Hawks by four points – 38-42 – MBU Rockers took the lead for the first time in the match at 54-53 on swingman Cyril Agrippine’s downtown shot with 5 minutes 29 seconds (5:29) played in the third quarter.
At the end of the third 10-minute spell, the Hawks led by 11 points – 71-60 – and the margin increased to 21 points – 81-60 – with just over three minutes played in the fourth.
When Timmy Adam fouled out with 14 points and with 2:18 left to play, the Rockers could not cope with PLS Hawks’ inside pressure although they got 26 points from Cyril Agrippine and 19 from playmaker and captain Nigel Sinon.
PLS Hawks’ seventh win in eight matches has put them in the right vein ahead of their match-up against Baya this coming weekend.
So far this year, the two teams’ head-to-head record stands at 1-1. Baya won the Charity match 71-64 and PLS Hawks triumphed 79-64 in the final of the Jhelum Cup tournament (the new name of the annual Curtain-raiser tournament).
As for the Rockers, the loss – their third in nine games – has somehow dented their chances of challenging for the title.

Praslin Warriors 76 … Angels 83

There was no victory this time for Praslin Warriors as they went down to a 76-83 defeat at the hands of Angels, who gave a debut to Malagasy Hajaniaia Hazafindramanana.
After getting a famous 70-64 victory over MBU Rockers on their last outing, Praslin Warriors could not maintain the momentum despite getting 20 points from skipper Jackson Auguste, 19 including five treys from Ryan Volcère and 14 from Joseph Souffe.
In the absence of go-to guy Daniel Dodin, who is on overseas training in China just like Steven Servina, Norcy Agathine took up the slack with 18 points and Collin Japhet added 16.
After the win, Angels have an even win-lose record of 4-4 for 12 points, while the Warriors boast the same total after three wins and six defeats.

Meanwhile, in the Men’s Division Two, AAP Brothers ended the first round on a winning note. They got their seventh victory on a 66-53 score against Fire Brigade to lead the 11-team standings with 17 points.

After losing 52-60 to RA Rockets last Friday, Cadets defeated RA Herons 60-55 on Sunday for only their third win in 10 matches.

Pointe Larue Falcons extended their winning run to eight with a 69-41 defeat of LMS Youth.

G. G.

June 05, 2008
- AS-Sonabhy # EFO
The stars did it! After defeated the electricians in the fourth quarter, the stars of EFO gave a lesson to the petroliers. They leaded the match from the beginning to the end.
Score: 44-52 for EFO
Best scorer Aboubacar SARA (AS-Sonabhy) with 20 points

- Faso Warriors # AS-Sonabel
Score: 38-52
Best scorer: Regis ZOUNGRANA (AS-Sonabel) with 12 points


June 07, 2008
- Faso Warriors # ASTY
Score: 35-25 for Faso Warriors
Best scorer: L. SIMPORE (ASTY): 11 points


- AS-Sonabel # Kadiogo Bulls
Its hard to know who will be the best team this year. The Bulls of Kadiogo, the second team of the last season, lost a match against the electricians.
Score: 39-24 for AS-Sonabel
Best scorer: J.P. BAYALA (AS-Sonabel): 16 points

June 08, 2008
- RCK # AS-Sonabhy
Score: 65-51 for RCK
Best scorer: Ismael KONE (RCK): 20 points

June 11, 2008
- EFO # ASTY
Score: 70-35 for EFO
Best scorer: Ludo SIMPORE (ASTY), 18 points

June 12, 2008
The Thursday was the day of every danger for the big teams; there were two matches!
The first match was between the Bulls and the falcons. The falcons never failed this season and they want to show that they are the best team. But the Bulls needed a victory after failed against the Electricians.
For the second match, after winning against the bulls, the electricians wanted to show that it was not a chance! The Petroliers needed a win if they want to have a chance for the second part of the competition.

- Kadiogo Bulls # RCK
The Bulls stopped the Falcons! It was a big match! The falcons begun the match slowly; they were sure that they can beat the Bulls. They were wrong! Coach Aboubacar DABIRE work hard these last days with his team. His one on one defence became hard. His system with a center Mamadou Sawadogo (-C) and his power forward (Isaac Palenfo (-C)) was a problem for the falcons. They win the first quarter by 9-6. In the second quarter, the Falcons awaked and Ben Sada DABIRE, Ismal KONE, Yves ARISTE became skilful. They move faster and score more. They win the second quarter (14-19). At the half time, the score was 23-25 for RCK.
The third quarter was for the Bulls and they lead the match, 32-30.
In the last quarter, the bench of the Falcons had to do the difference, but Coach COULIBALY will show us nothing but some bad choices. Ismal KONE was not in the game; he lost many shoots and the coach didnt want to take the substitution. Yves ARISTE worked hard to win the match (he was on fire). He got the last ball at 17 seconds of the end; he chose to give it to Ismal. He was wrong. Ismal did an offensive foul and lost the ball.
Final score: 43-42 for Kadiogo Bulls; Best scorer: Yves ARISTE with 21 points.

- AS-Sonabhy # AS-Sonabel
As every time, the Electricians lead the first halftime. Ibrahim OUEDRAOGO, Roland BASSINDJA and Norbert Parkouda (-G) play very well. At the halftime, AS-Sonabel leads the score by 14-24.
For the third quarter, the center BAYALA (Electrician) had 3 fouls. Coach COULDIATY leads the match but he let him in the game. The point guard Norbert Parkouda was tired but he didnt want to substitute him. BAYALA did a foul and took a technical foul in the same action. From that, AS-Sonabhy, with Aboubacar SARA, RenAƒÂ© OUEDRAOGO and Hamed Fabre (-G) speeded up the game. They got many free throws. At the end of the quarter, they were three points late (25-28).
The last quarter was for the Petroliers; they gave a 17-06 to the electricians and win the match.
Score: 42-34 for AS-Sonabhy; best scorer: Norbert Parkouda (AS-SONABEL) 13 points

from africabasket.com

by Julius Mbaraga
Kigali

Marines' transfer disputes made sure that National basketball league ties involving APR and Marine, and Espoir and Marine could not be played.

The highly-anticipated clashes that had been scheduled for Saturday and Sunday respectively had to be called off by the national basketball federation (Ferwaba) after complaints from the Burundi basketball federation.
It is said that Marines has failed to come to terms with the Burundi basketball federation about transfers of three players.
"It would be wrong for us (Rwanda basketball federation) to let Marines play with players who are not legally signed so we called off these games. We are looking into the situation and we ready to help the club in any way that we can," Ferwaba's secretary general Jean Lucien Mugabo noted.

Marines who toppled CSK A to last year's league title and have already registered two wins on the road in the 2008 campaign are top contenders for this year's title.

by Julius Mbaraga
Kigali

The recent rivalry between APR and Marine will be kept alight when the two clubs face off today at Kimisagara as the battle for this year's national basketball league continues.
APR's home court advantage will be in check when they host the reigning champions who are yet to lose a game on the road.
Like Marine, APR is still unbeaten in this year's league campaign with three victories against UNR, Espoir and BUG.
However, that run is under serious threat against the Gisenyi club that has been strengthened by a number of top players including APR's former forward Bunene Kajeguhakwa.
Bunene, who also featured for Rwanda last year's Zone v Championships and the Afro-basket competition, will be playing against his former club for the first time since his move early this year.
And the 2006 champions will have to be a lot tighter in the defense if they are shut down the swift Rwandan international forward.
"It is obvious that Bunene will be out to prove a point to us but we are ready for the challenge," APR's captain Chali Chali Kimanuka said.
Even without their zone V club championship hero Issa Ngoga, who is still nursing an ankle injury, APR's coach Cliff Owuor is certain that his club will walk away with the points.
"Of course Ngoga adds a lot of strength to the side but we still have enough quality to help us win this game," the ex Kenyan international said yesterday.
In the other weekend fixtures, last year's play-off beaten finalists, CSK A host Rusizi at Cercle Sportif courts while tomorrow, the champions (Marine) will again be in action against Espoir at Rafiki for their fourth game on the road.

Today
APR v Marine
CSK v Rusizi

Sunday
Espoir v Marine

National champions Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) beat Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) 87-68 in a top Premier League match played at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.

It was the porters who got off to a bright start taking a 24-18 edge in the first quarter. Lions managed to go ahead 28-14 as a high scoring first half ended 46-38 in KCB's favour.

The second half was a nasty and hard fought affair as players shoved and fell on the floor forcing referee Juma Kent to hit both teams with technical fouls to calm things down. Lions led 66-54 in the third quarter.

Furaha Odari was ejected by Kent after being whistled for his second flagrant foul, as KCB raced away 75-58 in this ill tempered encounter. He will miss the teams next game. Lions build a 18 points cushion most of this quarter.

In a balanced scoring attack, Victor Odendo had 17 points, Tobias Onyango had 16, David Otiso chipped in with 14 while Yoni Wanambiro and Dennis Opiyo managed 11 and 10 respectively. For KPA, Mike Opel led the chart with........

United States International University (USIU) led 35-33 at the break before erupting for a 85-64 win over International Christian Center (ICC). Ramadhan Arimi scored 23 points while Chris Mulumba nailed 12 for Tigers ICC had 19 from Luka Lukongo and 11 from David Kyalo.

Yana slumped to another huge loss going down 24-63 to champions KPA in a ladies tie. KPA had 13 points from Evalyne Otinda while Yana, who lost 24-66 to Eagle Wings in their last encounter were led by Mitchelle Otinda who scored eight.

Hilola Indasi scored 15 points and Samba Mjomba 14 to guide USIU Flames to an easy 52-33 win over University of Nairobi "Dynamites". The losers were pepped by Eleanor Musundi who bagged 10.

Islanders basketball club of Lagos at the weekend secured two straight victories in both the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF organized Premier League and the Lagos State Basketball Association, LSBBA City League over Nigeria Customs basketball club and Police Bombers basketball club.

The Ogoh Odaudu coached Islanders who begin its road trip to the Savannah Conference today (Monday) against Niger Potters basketball club of Minna; last Friday defeated Customs by 70-60 points.
The Islanders won three of the four quarters in its premier league game against the Scott Nnaji tutored Customs side 18-15, 18-11, 14-20 and 20-14 to secure it third Atlantic Conference win.
The Islanders continue its smooth run in the weekend when it engage Police Bombers in a Lagos City League game last Saturday at the Sports Hall of the Lagos National Stadium.
The Rasheed Bello inspired side showed some fatigue in the game against the Bombers which resulted in the first half trailing of the Mark Balogun (ASP) coached Police team losing the first two quarters by 17-15 and 13-10.
The team (Islanders), however, rose back to reckoning in the third quarter winning by 21-16 to tie the third quarter at 46 points apiece.
The team continues the search for victory in the fourth and last quarter, which yielded result winning by 23-16 to end the game at 69-62 points.

. Union Bank, Raptors, Chariot also end the weekend with wins

It was also victory song for Union Bank basketball club, Raptors Academy and Chariot basketball club at the premier league and the city league.
Union Bank basketball club handed Ebun Comets basketball a painful 89-74 points defeat in a premier league match played Saturday evening at the sports hall of the Lagos national stadium.
The Stallion Boys, as the bankers are known came back from a 21-17 points lose in the first quarter to edged the Ayo Bakare tutored Comets in the second quarter by a narrow 16-15 points going into the break with just three points deficits.
Upon resumption of play in the third quarter, Union Bank basketball club with team manager Rotimi Savage calling the shot from the line rose to the challenge to post a 25-21 points win in the third quarter and widened the gap in fourth quarter winning with as much as ten points 31-21 to seal victory.
Chariot basketball club had last Friday defeated Whales basketball club by 72-66 points in an interesting pairing of a Lagos City League game.
Chariot two of the four quarters, losing one and tying up the other 17-13, 16-11, 25-28 and 14-14 to pick the maximum points at the expense of its opponent.
Raptors Academy under the tutelage of Coach Charles Ibeziako won a hard won victory Sunday against Flames basketball club in a Lagos.
The Raptors took the first quarter 10-06, but gave up the second to the Solomon Aluma team by 17-10 to go the break trailing by three point (20-23) but came back strongly in the third and fourth quarters with an 18-12 and 23-18 points win for a cumulative scoreline of 61-53 points.

Meanwhile, Coach Odaudu and his team (Islanders) will from today (Monday begin its journey to the Savannah Conference of the NBBF premier league with a game against Niger Potters basketball club of Minna.
The team will storm Jos, Plateau State capital Tuesday where they will battle Tapgun Rockets basketball club and Plateau Peaks basketball club.
Their train will then berth in Bauchi for another double against Bauchi Net on Thursday and Yelwa Hawks basketball club on Friday.
They will round off their road game against Kano Pillars basketball club and AHIP basketball club on Saturday and Sunday in Kano before returning to Lagos.

from africabasket.com

By Dann O’werre

Brenda Odula nailed a three pointer at the buzzer to guide Sprite Storms to a close 40-39 upset win of national champions, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), in a tight and entertaining Premier League tie at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium yesterday.
In a nip and tuck tie that would have gone either way, Storms trailed 8-9 in the first quarter but recovered to take a 19-17 lead at the breather. A basket by Mwajuma Suleiman saw KPA take the third quarter 30-28 setting stage for a dramatic fourth.
Storms regained the advantage at 35-32 on shots by Linda Alando and Emma Nyakweba, but again KPA stormed back as Irene Murambi’s two foul shots and a Joyce Makungu’s basket saw KPA swing the tie 38-35 in the ports women’s favour.
Odula banked a lay up for 37-38 and Agnes Anyango hit one foul shot for a 39-37 KPA edge. With the clock ticking away, Odula unveiled a three pointer from the top of the key that touched nothing but twine, sparking celebrations all over the court.
Angela Luchivya scored 10 points, while Alando and Odula combined for another 17 points haul for Storms who do not even turn up for training these days. KPA, who lacked cohesion in their attacks, had 11 from Caroline Arato with no one hitting double figures.

Posta...74, Jkuat.... 34

Franklin Delano shot 23 points while Ben Oluoch added 12 as Posta crushed Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Jkuat) 74-34. The losers who trailed 21-33 at the break had seven points from Franko Macharia. At the Nairobi Railways Club, Kenya Polytechnic beat Baraka Xtreme .

By Dann O’werre

Kenyatta University Pirates upset Strathmore University 70-62 in a Premier League match at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.

The victors led 16-14 in the opening quarter and had it 19-17 in the second as they settled for a close 35-31 advantage at the break on Saturday.
Blades took the third quarter 15-12 and even had the edge late in the game before lack of concentration caused them dearly.
Griffin Ligare and Phil Dinga hit two three-pointers that saw Pirates take the reins again before another costly turnover by panicking Strathmore sadly did them in leaving coach Tony Ochieng cursing from the bench.
Live wire Ligare scored 21 points, James Omune hit 16 and Dinga managed 12 for Pirates who have now won three of their five matches. Strathmore, who have won only one of their six matches so far, had 21 points from Ken Maru and 15 from Charles Okoth.

KPA.......81 Warriors.......65

Mike Opel nailed 20 points as former national champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) made a triumphant return to the top league in only their first match in Nairobi in two years. Patrick Kirui and Musa Odari contributed 15 and 12 points respectively for KPA.
The trio, who are recent recruits from Nairobi clubs, were key to the porters win. This was their third win in a row. Bottom placed Warriors who remain winless after four games, had 15 points from Sudi Ulanga and another 14 from Alex Lubasi.

In the Nairobi Basketball Association provincial league matches played at Railways Club, Kenya Polytechnic University blanked Baraka Xtreme 78-67 in a come from behind win. Charles Kitui hit 24 points and Polycarp Omondi for Poly.
Amos Wachira had 24 for Xtreme who also lost their second tie as they were pipped 58-60 by Trail Blazers in another lively exchange. The winners’ Alex Oguso was good for 18 points while Peter Kimani hit the Thika based losers 16.
Romanus Anyonje contributed 18 points as he led Emyba to a 54-35 win, their only second victory in the league. Old Pirates rediscovered their winning ways as they pipped Don Bosco 56-54 behind George Ochieng’s 25 points.

ABDO ALRAOF ALFETORE 14
ABDUALAZIZ ABDU 4
ABDUALHAMED ABDU 10
ABDUALWAHED ABDUALA 7
AMHAMED GlAB 11
HAMZA ABDOALA 6
HITHM AHMED ALTROK 8
LAMEN NDAI 12
MAROAN AL SWDANE 5
MOAMER AMHAMED 9
WAGDE OMRAN THAO 15
WASEF ALSAEDE 13
ABDOALRAHMAN ABDO Coach

ABDOASLAM ALMOZGE 9
AOSAMA KOEDER 5
dragan
MAHMOUD ALTOME 15
MOHAMED ALZOE 13
MOHAMED BEN SRETE 11
MOHAMED KOEDER 6
MOSA AHMED 8
NUOR HAMED 12
SAAD ALAOGLE 11
TAREK ALOBEDE 4
TAREK KOEDER 7
WALED ALFARGANE 10
othman almozge Coach

ABDOALA BEN YAZA 15
ESLAM KERBAL 9
MOHAMED ALBOKARE 12
MOHAMED BELHAG 4
MOHAMED DOGE 8
MOHAMED ESSA 6
MOHAMED RAMATHAN 11
NATHER ALMOREME 7
NEZAR ALMANSORE 10
SAEED ALMSRATE 5
OSAMA ALSEDEK Coach

ABDUALRAHIM RAMAD nº7
AESAM ALTARHONE 7
ALI ALKATANE 4
ALI GOELE 8
aomran ebrahim 9
ASMAAEL EISA 9
MAROAN ABO GOELA 10
MOUTEZ ALMOGAREF 14
SALEM SATOT 15
tarek alteer 4
WANES AL AROFE 6
YASER MOHAMED 11
MOFTAH ALKATANE Coach
SERGAN ENTETSH Coach

Last night i had a chance to have dinner with Danny johnson Gezira point gaurd, He was preparing to flay back home.I asked him about playing in egypt and his impressions about it.He was looking forward to see his new born sun and his family back home.

SS:Where do you put this season in your basketball carrier?
DJ:To be honest with you this season is one of my best ever,I won my first champion in my life.I used to play in big teams in eurpe but we never won the league.

SS: How hard was it for you to win the campionchip?
DJ:It is a very tough laegue to win,what makes it hard is that he best six teams can win any time so that you have no easy games to play,If you dont play hard every game you will lose.

SS:What about your coach.team mates,mangment?
DJ:They became all my friends,and we had great times togther,they reially hellped me to be in the team very fast.however,when you play in such a big team you dont have to do everything this helped me to lead the team to the championchip.

SS:Gezira players are cosiderd very religious,how did feel abuot it?
DJ:They treated me like one of them,I never felt anything strange because of my religion,They where so kind to me,the only problem i had was language as most of them doesnt speak english.

SS:Will you come again to Egypt:
DJ: Sure,If i dont get a better offer in Eurpe i will come back to play here again.

from africabasket

Sporting 87-80 Gezira: Sporitng won the cup after a great perfrmance to over come Gezira the super league champoin 2008.However, It was a great victory for the sporting fans,mangment,players who celibrated the victory togther after 35 years in hall 4 at Cairo stadeium.Chauncey sporting point gaurd prooved to everyone that he was the best import this season scoring 30 points.Sabry Abd El Naby sporting haed coach couldnt hold his tears after the game,He sent a clear message to Sporting mangment who put him under pressure in the last couple of weeks(I am the best coach in the league who can lead this team.
from africabasket.com

With two more weeks remaining Ittihad and Ahli Tripoli continue sharing the first spot , Ittihad defeated Hilal while Ahli Tripoli beat Naser the defending league champion to make them lose their chance of a back to back championship and put the pressure on Ittihad with two difficult games ahead of them.
meanwhile a win for Shabab over Ahli Benghazi keeps their championship hopes alive.
Whada won their first game this season and after a 19 straight loss they hope that this victory will help them move away from the relegation zone.
Week 20 :
Hilal - Ittihad 53-69
Ahli Tripoli - Naser 93-84
Moroj - Yarmook 68-47
Wahda - Madina 67-48
Tahade - Jazera 60-71
Shabab - Ahli Benghazi 70-61

from africabasket.com

three games were played in this round :
Jazera - Madina 69-57
Naser - Tahade 95-74
Shabab - Wahda 86-68

with these results Madina and Tahade suffered their second loss thus they were knocked out from the cup competition.

Round 4 :
Ahli Tripoli - Wahda
Shabab - Ittihad
Ahli Benghazi - Hilal
Naser - Moroj

In the fourth round of the cup competition an exciting match is expected between Shabab and Ittihad, Shabab the last two years champion looking to continue their cup success after failling in the league competition while Ittihad looks forward to beat Shabab and enhance their chance of wining both league and cup titles.

from africabasket.com

WEDNESDAY 11 JUNE 2008
15:00 hrs Zimbabwe(51), (47)Angola (girls) game 1
Zimbabwe’s Talent Samu shone like a beacon as she tore apart the Angolan defence with her penetration and fast break to score 14 points. It was her control and aggression, with point guard Yolanda Matayataya in foul trouble and Rachel Makoni on the sidelines that guided Zimbabwe out of murky waters. Match Commissioner proved unpopular when he barred Rachel Makoni from playing in the 1st quarter and only intervention from FIBA allowed her to play and she calmly dropped 17 points on the luckless Angolans. The Girls High School & ex-Cameo teammates combined with another GHS & ex-Cameo Dorcas Marondera for a memorable victory. Pistons Yolanda Matayataya & ex-Cameo Precious Pezane chipped in with some strong play down the stretch. The teams meet again today for a game 2. The taller Angolans will be looking for revenge. But they have been beaten and Zimbabwe’s coach Ngoni Mukukula has a game plan.

17:00 hrs Zimbabwe(82), (104) Mozambique (boys) game 1
The taller and more athletic Mozambicans overcame a battling Zimbabwe team. In the first half teams traded baskets but foul trouble and more experience took over down the stretch. Zimbabwe coach Kizito Mudzviti will need to make defensive adjustments for game 2 which is to be played on Friday.

FRIDAY 13 JUNE 2008
08:00 hrs Angola vs Zimbabwe(girls) game 2
Zimbabwe proved beyond doubt that Angola is our cattle fodder! Rachel Makoni and her 18’s pack ran wild coming from behind to beat an Angolan team that had revenge written all over their chests. Rachel dropped 21 points and Dorcas Marondera had 14 points for Zimbabwe, whilst Talent Samu and Yolanda Matayataya worked their hearts out. Yolanda’s strong arm from such a midget got the fast breaks for Rachel and Talent and anyone else who bothered to run. Coach Ngoni was down 6-21 in the 1st half but his charges came back with a strong showing in the 3rd quarter to overturn the scoreline and led by 4 points. In the 4th quarter the durability of the Zimbabwe team could not be matched by their Angolan counterparts and Zimbabwe ran out winners.