Basketball in Africa

KENYA Basketball Federation (KBF) are considering taking next year's East and Central Africa Zone Five Club championships to Mombasa.
Vitalis Gode, the KBF secretary general, said yesterday there is a probability that the coastal city will host the event for the first time in August next year since its inception. "I was in Mombasa over the weekend to look at the possibility of having this tournament there and I intend to give my report to the executive who will make the final decision," Gode said.
He said the newly refurbished courts at Makande Welfare Hall can hold a tournament of such magnitude. The fans will also play a role when the decision is finally made. Urunani (Burundi) and Eagle Wings (Kenya) won the last year's event which was staged in Bujumbura.
Meanwhile, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) recovered to pip United States International University (USIU) 57-55 in the women's play-off finals Game One clash at the Makande Welfare hall. The porters, who lost Game One 57-49 the previous day, sailed to a 13-11 first quarter advantage. However, the "Flames" engulfed the host with a strong 16-9 performance to take the second quarter for a 27-22 cushion at the breather. After the resumption, it was USIU who were on the ascendancy again building a 21-15 edge in the third quarter before KPA took advantage of poor fielding to charge back into contention with 20-7 win in the decisive quarter.
Rallying KPA for this crucial win that tied the five game series at 1-1 was Hellen Oketch who chalked up game high 23 points while national team playmaker Brenda Angeshi nailed another 15. For USIU, who will now host the winners in Nairobi this weekend, Sarah Chan and Africa's three-point queen, Hilda Indasi were the key as they pumped in a 12 points each.