Basketball in Africa

Gweru — CAMEO Sigauke of Harare have been crowned 2014 national basketball champions after beating Raiders 76-68 in an all-Harare final here over the weekend.
Southern Mavericks of Bulawayo took bronze after beating Unicorns of Gweru 73-40 in the battle for the third place.
In the women's section, Vixens of Harare were crowned champions after overcoming Green Stars, also from the capital, 59-53 in the final.
JBC of Harare took bronze after beating Southern Navericks 52-33.
Kamio Sigauke cruised into the final after beating Unicorns of Gweru 49-33 in the semi-final while their rivals Raiders triumphed after overcoming Southern Mavericks of Bulawayo 54 - 48.
However, both teams will represent Zimbabwe in the Zone Five African club championships in Harare.
Vixens and Green Stars will also be representing the country in the same tournament in the women's category.
Zimbabwe Basketball Club Championship Liaison Officer, Carlos Munda,
said the level of the game has improved.
"There has been a great improvement in terms of talent and performance. The game has grown bigger and better.
"We are confident that the teams that will represent the country in the Zone Six Club Championship in Harare this year will lift the Zimbabwean flag high.
"The last time we participated in the tournament we did not do well.
"However, with the quality of players that we now have in the country, I have no doubt that we are going to do better than the last time," said Munda.
Munda said the Basketball Club Championship failed to get a sponsor to bankroll the event.