Basketball in Africa

  edits: Daily Monitor Sudi Ulanga (air-bound) barely showed up against Diamonds in the Sun on Sunday. He struggled to find the basket from distance

In daydreams, winning changes almost everything but in real life it is never easy (for many) to pin down which ending is happiest or who deserves the glory. With a few exceptions, any underdog win is a happy ending for me (as a fan) and made it clear in my recent article on underdogs.
There were such two endings last weekend when Vegetarian and KIU Rangers shocked Tiger Head Power and KCCA Leopards. Another shocking result came through yesterday and a string of those have made this year’s National Basketball League season many things, but boring not being one of them.
Diamonds in the Sun (DITS) matched UCU Canons shot for shot but ultimately came away with a 63-60 win on Sunday evening paced by center- forward Emmanuel Odonkara who posted the first and only triple double (16 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists) in the league thus far. It is funny how passage of time can not only dull memory but utterly erase things. With DITS’ performances you couldn’t remember they had managed just 18 points in their last game (against City Oilers) and 28 in one that preceded the Oilers’ game (against Ndejje). Felix Olaba added 10 points for DITS (2-4).
Boniface Okello had game high 19 points to go with 12 boards in a losing effort. Sudu Ulanga managed just 10 points as he struggled to find the basket. The shooting guard was 2-for-12 from distance. Forward, Joseph Chuma picked team high 15 rebounds for Canons (4-3) and contributed 8 points.
Meanwhile the rest of the other two Sunday games were blow out victories. The Charging Rhinos bounced back from the painful loss against Warriors with an emphatic 85-56 win over struggling Nkumba Marines. Four rhinos scored in double figure led by big man Joseph Ondyek (OJ) with game high 19 points, Allan Kobel added 18 points, Ezra Nunda contributed 12 and Patrick Lubega chipped in with 10. Marines (0-7) were led by Emmanuel Nyabuto with 18 points and Brian Sivach had 12 points and 9 reboundsIn the women’s division, five Lady Canons reached double figures in scoring as they spanked MUK Sparks who were playing their second game in under 48hours 101-33. Purity Odhiambo led the way with 19 points and 10 boards, Vilma Achieng added 16 points and 12 rebounds. Moreen Amoding had 17 points, Ritah Imanishimwe 13 and Bridget Nakamoga contributed 10.
Joy Chemtai had game high 21 points for Sparks.
Sunday Results:
UCU Canons 60-63 Diamonds in the Sun
Charging Rhinos 85-56 Nkumba Marines
MUK Sparks 33-101 UCU Lady Canons
Friday Results:
Falcons 83-67 Ndejje University Angels
A1 Challenge 61-40 MUK Sparks