Basketball in Africa

It’s five years and counting since Falcons last won the Airtel National Basketball League title and four since they were contenders.

This season, they are much closer than they have been to adding to their six crowns, the last of which came in 2007, than they have been in perhaps two years.

Friday’s 73-65 win over Warriors at a packed YMCA court will be treated as a statement, far bigger than just being a 14th consecutive victory.
Stephen Omony’s game-high 18 points and 10 points elevated Falcons to a league-best 18-2 as Warriors fell to 17-2.

He eventually fouled out in the final two minutes. The damage was done by then. Falcons got sweet revenge for 73-53 rout in May, the last time they lost a game.

“I respect Falcons,” Warriors coach Mandy Juruni noted. The feeling is mutual. “We know Warriors will bounce back. We will respect every opponent,” said Omony.

Geoff Omondi added 14 points and 12 rebounds while centre Philip Ameny, towing a thin line with four fouls, added 12. “It’s good we lost a game at this stage so players can re-focus on the task,” Juruni added. His 11-game winning streak dating back to June was snapped. It was a slow start to topsy-turvy game until Omony blew it open with two sequential 3s. In the twinkle of an eye, Falcons built an 11-point lead at the end of third period. Even if it wasn’t the most spectacular of returns for Abdullahi Ramadhan to the Falcons’ roster for the first time since last November, Warriors only responded with brief scares.