Basketball in Africa

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.