Basketball in Africa

Last week was a great week in Ugandan basketball, all top teams where in action, Friday night, Steven Omony’s Miracle Eagles took on the Nkumba University Marines, a team known for its resilience but only to humble it in a 90:47 victory. Steven Omony had a triple double, double figure rebounding, double figure assists and 24 points. Ceaser Mukalazi also had his glorious night scoring 33 points with 5 out 8 attempts of his three point field shots. Wakimwero Phillip and Otweyo Wilson were the two most active players for Timothy Odeke’s Marines scoring 16 and 14 points respectively.

On Saturday, Warriors had to take on newbie St Michael and Warriors moving into this game fancied to win and beating down on St Michael 90:48. Warriors the defending champions find themselves in must win situation since the eagles are on their case for that 4th playoff spot. Warriors face bitter rivals Dmark Power this Friday at YMCA , 19hr30. A win against Power will boost their confidence and partly eliminate the no-playoffs scare but ultimately Warriors will have to beat the Eagles themselves to seal this battle.



Later Saturday was a game between Falcon and the Ndejje University Angels, After Mike Bazangu being blamed for the loss to UCU, the player was positive to turn his game around, playing good individual defense and involving team mates in the offense. It’s evident that Falcon are now considering the easier baskets compared to their showtime dunks they exhibited in the game against UCU and losing it at the end. Sam Obol, Peter Elungat and Sudi Ulanga were missing in this fixture which ended 75:61.

The main event on Sunday was between the Charging Rhinos and MUK Heaters in a hugely televised game. The two arch rivals went into this game dubbed “battle for bragging rights” both beaming with optimism. But it was Rhinos that finally came up on top inspired by shining performances from shooting guard, Opio Mark and Forward Omony Walter with 27 and 21 points respectively. Bongomin Joseph also had 12 points while Maale Rashaed had 10 points.

The quarterly scores were as follows, 19:18, 23:27,25:28, and 26:16. The Rhinos showed great character overcoming the 10 point deficit in the last quarter winning the game 93:89.

Heaters received standing performances from Busulwa Rama with 19 points, Odong George with 17 points and Assiku Dickson with 16 points. It is quite likely that these two teams will collide again in playoffs and watching them play is always a feeling of basketball to behold.

Dmark Power played against newbie Berkley and humbled it to a 108:60 defeat. Okello Boniface had game high 26 points, Joseph Ikong continues in double figure scores with 24 points, while Isaac Luggudde had 18 points. Power face Warriors Friday 24th September 2010 in a do or die game for Warriors. This game is more important for Warriors than it is for Power but get it right, Power will not be holding back anything given the fact that they were beaten by Warriors at the final last year.