Basketball in Africa

In an 'A' league game played between HBA defending champions and upstarts Sigauke, Varsity Leopards went down 48-67. Sigauke came out of the blocks on fire and led by Taurayi Chitsinde out-played and out-hassled Varsity Leopards. Gauke raced to a 16-12 lead in the first quarter extending this to 30-22 at the half. The expected 3rd quarter comeback by Varsity Leopards never materialised and they lost 13-16 in that quarter to enter the fourth quarter down 35-46. In the fourth quarter Sigauke turned on the pressure winning that quarter 21-14 for a final score of 67-48. With this loss Varsity Leopards will need to win all their remaining games and hope 1 other team and themselves beat JBC if they hope to retain their league championship. leopards defense was exposed by Tawanda 'Yanga' Chitsinde who slashed through the Varsity Leopards defence at will, either scoring on lay-ups or dumping to Baldwin 'Bodza' Mazango. But the man who overpowered Varsity Leopards was Tawanda's brother Taurayi Chitsinde who top-scored with 14 points. Tawanda and Mazango each had 12 points for Sigauke. Varsity Leopards battled all night and point guard Tafadzwa 'Bully' Mudzimu triad to rally his team to no avail. Varsity Leopards pair of Clement Chitura and Hamilton Mudawarima led their team with 10 points apiece. The suffocating Sigauke defence helped stem a free scoring Varsity Leopards team who had to work for every point they scored. Varsity Leopards cause was not helped by injuries to Tinashe 'Voltron' Muchenje and Tendai 'Tindo' Chiyangwa. The curtains went down on Varsity Leopards when key player Hamilton Mudawarima pulled up with cramp and captain Gideon Chikopa was disqualified for an unsportsmanlike foul. After that it was pretty much one way traffic to the Varsity Leopards basket.

Highdon Raiderz stamped their authority when they brushed aside team-of-the-moment Kingdom Cavaliers 77-65. The score line could have been much worse had Highdon Raiderz not opted to give their youngsters a burn after they went up 26 points. Cavaliers were never in it and played as if they should have been somewhere else. Highdon Raiderz were focused and hungry and this clearly showed in the manner they went after each and every loose ball. Highdon Raiderz Tafadzwa Maturure top scored with 19 points via a variety of shots. He had a lot of help from Clement Kufeketa, Duncan Shenje and Wellington Kasosera who shot the 3-ball with deadly accuracy. Coach Ngoni Mukukula decision to bring back his players from 'loan spells' seems to be working.

by Roderick Takawira africabasket.com