Basketball in Africa

By Usher Komugisha FUBA basketball finals
Women
Game 4: KCC 57 UCU 68
Game 3: UCU 75 KCC 55
Game 2: KCC 39 UCU 45
Game 1: UCU 65 KCC 57
(UCU win the best-of-seven series 4-0)

THE UCU Lady Canons have surely forgotten what it feels like to lose a basketball game because victory has become nothing but their closest acquaintance this season.
With only one loss to fellow title contenders-the Leopards in first round, UCU have since dominated the women’s league dubbing it the most predicted season in past years.
Three titles in four years should be enough to give the Lady Canons bragging rights in the women’s category of the FUBA basketball league after the university side swept the KCC Leopards 4-0 in the best-of-seven series in the playoff finals.
“It always feels great when you set a goal at the start of the year and you achieve it. We are excited that we are this year’s champions because we really worked so hard to get where we are,” explained American Dale Scully, UCU’s head coach.
Relying on the forward trio of three time league top scorer Lorraine Akinyi, former APR star Purity Adhiambo and Olympian-to-be Peace Proscovia, UCU dominated the front court especially on the boards both on offense and defense in these series.
Unlike last season where Akinyi had to do most of the work for the champions, this season has seen new signing Adhiambo pick an impressive 67 rebounds and drop 60 points in just the finals.
Spectacular Akinyi (48 rebounds, 28 points) and Proscovia (50 rebounds, 29 points) did not leave the Leopards with much of an option in the paint.
KCC’s reliance on top rebounder and scorer Martha Soigi stretched the forward who picked 53 rebounds and sunk 50 points in these finals as veterans Miriam Hamala (24 rebounds, 28 points) and Annet Nakiwu (23 rebounds, 14 points) struggled against the youthful UCU.
“UCU have a blend of youngsters and experienced players which really stretches us in the paint and the truth is that they were more prepared than us for the finals,” admitted Timothy Odeke, Leopards’ head coach.
Offensive brilliance from guards-reigning league MVP Maureen Amoding, Brenda Mbone, Captain Angella Namirimu and Peace Nakirijja provided the youthful energy to run down the KCC defense.
Amoding dropped an amazing 81 points and picked 13 rebounds in these finals as well as limiting her match-up opponent KCC’s point guard Flavia Oketcho to only 22 points and 18 rebounds.