Basketball in Africa

International Christian Center (ICC) took an early lead in the premier league with two wins over the weekend in played at the Coca Cola Stadium gymnasium.

ICC beat Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) 83-89 in overtime after both sides had settled for a 75-75 deadlock in regulation time. They followed that heroic feat with another 79-66 drubbing of Strathmore University. They now have five points from three ties.
Diminutive guard Griffin Ligare's game high 35 points while Phil Dinga added 21
Against "Blades" Dinga led the side with 22 points while Ligare managed 18. Both are ex KU "Pirates" players. Strathmore have won one and lost one.
After that shock defeat, KPA recovered to beat University of Nairobi "Terorists" 68-59 in a closely fought encounter to redeem themselves in this game that also went nip and tuck until the final horn. KPA have 3 points from two matches.
Dan Okwirrri led a balanced KPA onslaught with 17 points, Anthony Okello had 13 as did Patrick Kirui while Musa Odari shot 12. For UoN, Mike Opinya led with 18 points and an over worked Rodney Genga collected 10.
Tobias Onyango nailed 27 points while Victor Odendo shot 15 to propel champions KCB Lions to a fine start as they launched their title defense with an easy 91-62 win over Lomboritz who have won none of their two ties.

Defending women champions KPA also got off their campaign with a strong win overwhelming 48-26 beating of Sprite Storms in a one sided tie. Yvonne Akinyi and Everlyn Akoth each contributed 15 points in the win.
Easter Queens announced their arrival at the local stage in style posting a 70-51 win over United States International University (USIU).. Emma Nyakweba hit 12 and was the only player to hit double digit scores..

The lower division match up saw World Hope nip the visiting Nakuru Club 69-67 in a closely fought duel.Maurice Obilo led the victors with 27 points while Charles Ouma also pured in 27 for the losers.

In the Nairobi Basketball Associatuion (NBA) league matches played at Railways Club, Baraka Xtreme pipped Friends of Basketball 58-57. Steve Forster led the Thika based side with 13 points. FOB had 19 from Joseph Achega..
Emyba hit Satelite Mercenaries 55-54 behind Jasper Ochieng's 16 points, Moses Abraham banked 21 for the losers. Nairobi Deaf Kings suffered a 66-22 loss to Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) who had Vincent Mesa with 18 points.
Madison made it three wins out of three with a 67-17 drubbing of Deaf Kings Brian Shivachi scored 13 points. Kenya Polytechnic University had the better of Baraka Winning 49-41 as Mosood Issa shot 18 points while Richard Otieno made 13 for the losers.
Nairobi Aviation College (NAC) beat Satellite Mercenaries 50-26 behind 13 points from Moses Musosi and Don Bosco suffered a 65-39 defeat at the hands of NAC
World Hope ladies had 14 points from Agnes Wangechi in their 36-30 win over Kenya Polytechnic.. Nairob Deat Queens put up a spirited fight but still were defeated 19-60 by Kenya Poly.