Basketball in Africa

A leaking roof at the Nyayo National Stadium indoor court caused the abandonment at half time of a Kenya Basketball Federation league match between Strathmore Blades and Ulinzi Warriors.
This is the third time a game has been abandoned at the gymnasium due to leaking roof over the past two seasons.
During last season’s playoffs, Sports Kenya intervened after play was interrupted by rain. Very minimal renovations were made at the time and their laxity continues to haunt the beautiful game.
Ironically, Britam Insurance won branding rights for the stadium with expectations that the facility will improve. To the contrary, it is the same old story.
The match was abandoned at half time with Ulinzi leading 33-31after winning the second quarter 20-16 and Blades the first 15-13.
Earlier, University of Nairobi Terrorist beat Umoja 77-65. It was a dominant show for Terror who led 34-30 at halftime. The first quarter went to Terror 18-12 and Umoja won the second 18-16.
Umoja took a three-point lead in the third quarter winning 23-16 but Terror turned tables with a 27-12 score in the fourth quarter. Michael Ochieng scored 22 points for Terror while Collins Ochieng and William Mayiel combined for 31. Marvin Freeman and Rodgers Ombati scored 14 points apiece for Umoja.
In another match, Samba Mjomba scored 14 points and Eleanor Musundi added 13 as Equity Bank women's team beat Sprite Storms 57-31. The bankers led 29-15 at halftime after winning first and second quarters 12-5 and 17-10.
The third quarter was the toughest for Storms losing 3-18 but won the fourth 14-10. Storms'  highest scorer was Linet Mukiri with nine points.
Slim lead at the breather
In division one, World Hope beat Kakamega-Nebulas 89-62. They narrowly led 36-35 at the breather. Eric Kayiere scored 25 points for World Hope and Patrick Wakasiaka adde 23. Fredrick Osore top scored for Nebulas with 24 points.
Barclays Bank escaped with a 59-53 win over Eldonets after a 30-22 halftime lead. Neville Ogutu top-scored for Barclays with 15 points while Franklyn Omwaka and Maxwell Kerugo replied with 16 each for Nebulas.
In the meantime, up to 34 basketball clubs are on the spot for using unregistered players in the KBF league.
Joseph Amoko, the KBF competitions secretary said the federation will not allow any of the affected clubs to field unregistered players from the next round of play. Under the competitions rules for this season, all players must get official transfer documents whenever they move clubs.
However, most of the participating teams have overlooked the rules. “The team managers are responsible for this and we are not going to allow these players to play before they are officially released from their former clubs,” Amoko stated.
“We have written to teams to provide us with their registration forms and only 15 have done so. With effect from today (Monday), we shall not allow these players to turn up for their new teams unless they have been released officially.”
Sunday Results: World Hope 89 Kakamega-Nebulas 62, Barclays Bank 59 Eldonets 53, Sprite Storms 31 Equity Bank 57, Umoja 65 Terror 77, Blades 31 Ulinzi Warriors 33 (stopped at halftime).

By Sande BashaijaBusoga and Busitema universities got some baptism of fire on the basketball court at the weekend.

The two women’s sides were humiliated by hosts Uganda Christian University (UCU) in the Zuku University Basketball League (ZUBL) on Saturday.
Ritah Imanishimwe scored a game high 20 points while Purity Odhiambo added 14 for UCU to drub Busitema 83-2.

Lukia Nabayego scored Busitema’s only basket, earning herself plaudits from everyone watching including the home fans. In the other game, UCU were more ruthless, notching a century in a 117-7 victory over Busoga. UCU men also did so well on the day as they thumped Busoga 80-21 while Kampala University edged St Lawrence 39-36 in the other game.

ZUBL RESULTS
MEN
Busoga 21-80 UCU
Ndejje 56-48 UMU
SLAU 36-39 KU
WOMEN
Ndejje 37-30 UMU
Busitema 02-83 UCU
Busoga 7–117 UCU
Cavenish 22–26 KU

sbashaija@ug.nationmedia.com

Kampala.

By their admission, Falcons found it too easy in their first game, a 104-59 win over Sharing Youth. “We did not find any difficulty and hopefully it remains so throughout the campaign,” Falcons’ Kenyan imports Joseph Ouma and Ariel Okall, recruited from Kenyan Ports Authority, said in unison after their first game.

Today’s opponents Warriors, who they meet at YMCA, are unlikely to be as obliging though.
“We strongly believe we can win,” Warriors coach Gad Eteu said despite raising only seven players for their first encounter, an 81-66 victory over Dits.

Warriors have also since lost experienced centre, Henry Malinga, who finally concluded his move to KIU Titans while Stephen Okias is still out with illness.

Guard Sedar Sagamba is expected to return after sitting out the opener, according to Eteu.
“Eight players should be able to do it for us as we look to make more additions,” the warriors coach stated. Meanwhile, the Kansanga-based KIU hosts its first games this evening with the home men and women’s teams both in action against Sharing Youth and Amazon Rhino respectively.

“I just felt the need for a change of environment. You get complacent when you stay in the same team for a long time,” Malinga said of his move to KIU. Malinga joins an already established cast of Francis Sokoroza, Norman Blick, Chris Omanye and Geoffrey Soro.

FUBA LEAGUE
WOMEN
KIU vs. Amazon Rhino 6:30pm, at KIU
A1 vs. Lady Marines 6:30, at YMCA
MEN
KIU Titans vs. Sharing 8:30pm, at KIU
Warriors vs. Falcons 8:30, at YMCA

KAMPALA. There were no shocks as the Airtel National Basketball League entered its second week of the season. Tiger Head Power, unlike the previous weekend, had only one engagement this time and executed it almost perfectly brushing aside Diamonds In The Sun (DITS) 84 – 52 at YMCA on Sunday.
Sudi Ulanga showed what he can add to the Power roster scoring a game high 22 points as they dominated the game from the onset winning all four periods 23-16, 19-10, 29-14 and 13-12.
“We are slowly getting there in terms of fitness and gelling,” Power coach Robert Mugabe said after the game. There were also three other players in double figures for Power with Joseph Ikong contributing 11 points while the two Michaels, Makiadi and Kojo added 15 and 11 points respectively.

FUBA LEAGUE RESULTS
Men
Rhinos 76-65 Bush Court
Ndejje 55-52 Our Saviour
Power 84 - 52 DITS
Ladies
KCCA 75-47 Gladiators

Allan Ouma scored 24 points and Brian Busu added 16 as Co-operative Bank beat Equity Bank 76-47 in a Kenya Basketball Federation league game played at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium on Sunday.
Ouma grabbed three rebounds while Busu rebounded seven times to steer their team to a comfortable win.
For Equity, Fred Lugasi scored nine points. Co-op won the first quarter 20-8 and Equity the second 21-18 as the former led 38-29 at halftime. Co-op dictated the tempo in the second half winning the third and fourth quarters 18-6 and 20-12.
From the free-throw line, Co-op Bank attempted 31 times scoring 16 while their attempts at 3-point shots were seven only making two. Equity scored three points off the free-throw line and 15 from 3-point shots.
Strathmore’s Blades had to sweat it out in their 60-54 win over Terror from University of Nairobi in a close match. Blades enjoyed a slim lead of two points at halftime winning the first quarter 16-14 while the second was all square at 11-11.
Blades stretched their lead to seven points at the close of third quarter with a 17-12 win but fourth quarter provided the thrills as Terror slowly fought back with unanswered baskets to tie the game at 48-all inside five minutes of the final quarter.
Point-guard Reuben Muraya managed to break the deadlock with a basket for Blades after more than a minute of scoreless play. For the next three minutes, both teams traded scores and the game was tied again at 54-all as the clock read 2:02 remaining.
Stage for a tense ending
This set the stage for a tense ending as Blades managed a basket to take the lead at 56-54. With only seconds counting to the final whistle, Terror called for a timeout to re-strategize on how to overturn the scoreline or force a tie for overtime.
However, it turned against their plan as three successive turnovers by Sila Awuor and two fouls allowed Blades to seal the win with a basket from Emmanuel Soja and one free shot each from Joseph Ongoro and Peter Shilton.
Ongoro scored four 3-point shots to top-score for Blades with 21 points while Frank Manyala had 12 points for Terror. Blades made eleven free shots and five 3-point shots against Terror’s four free shots and four 3-point shots.
Strathmore University was not lucky going down 65-70 to Kenya Airports Authority (KAA). Luka Lukongo scored 18 points for KAA who led 30-24 at halftime while Liude Kakembo scored 13 for Strathmore.
Umoja shocked Mennonite 65-49 for their first win of the debut season. Umoja led 30-22 at the breather and had Joseph Dibondo top-score with 14 points. Denis Kiboe scored 11 points for Mennonite.
Elsewhere, hosts Nakuru Club beat Ulinzi Warriors 61-57 as Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) easily won 65-42 at home to Zetech University.
Hotly contested encounter
The women premier league game between Ulinzi Blades and Eagle Wings was another hotly contested encounter for the weekend. Ulinzi won by a basket beating the Eagles 59-57.
It was a positive display for Eagles who had ten players against their opponent’s twelve and managed to win two quarters. At halftime, the scores tied at 31-all after Ulinzi won the first quarter 15-9 and Eagles the second 22-16.
In the third quarter, Ulinzi took a five-points lead winning 11-6. A fight back in the closing quarter saw Eagles win 20-17 but fell short of clinching the win. Bridgit Nanzala, a former Eagle Wings player, top-scored for Ulinzi with a game high of 24 points.
Player-coach Evelyn Kedogo led from the front scoring 15 points for Eagles that were aided by four 3-point shots. Lucy Machuma added 12 points for Eagles who had seven points come from free shots and 18 from the 3-point line.
In division one action, Franklin Delano scored four three-point shots to help Barclays Bank beat Blazers 70-54. Thirteen of Barclays points came from the free shots and 27 from three-point shots while Blazers made 15 free shots.
On Saturday, Blazers beat Parklands Baptist 66-36, KCA-U beat Don Bosco 43-40, 4-Christ won 62-60 against Little Prince while Trailblazers beat Baraka Xtreme 64-34.
Weekend Results
Saturday: Nakuru Club 61 Ulinzi Warriors 57, KPA 65 Zetech University 42, Little Prince 60 4-Christ 62, Don Bosco 40 KCA-U 43, Parklands Baptist 36 Blazers 66, Mennonite 49 Umoja 65, KAA 70 Strathmore University 65.
Sunday: Eagle Wings 57 Ulinzi Blades 59, Blazers 54 Barclays Bank 70, Trailblazers 64 Baraka Xtreme 34, Terror 54 Blades 60, Co-op Bank 76 Equity Bank Men 47.

Makerere University’s Kevin Acheruilut (left) in action against Kampala University yesterday. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA   

KAMPALA. Michael Makiadi is one of the biggest names in the Zuku University Basketball League (ZUBL).
Turning out for Cavendish University, Makiadi has lived to his big star status since the tournament started last month.
In one of the games last week, the big man, who turns out for Power in the national league, scored a free throw while facing the opposite direction.
His cheeky throw has been a subject of discussion on social media since with some observers saying he was so disrespectful to opposing players and the tournament itself.
On Saturday, however, the towering Makiadi didn’t have the luxury of pulling off another sassy throw.
It was serious business as his side clashed with Makerere University in one of the games at Bushcourt, Kololo.
Still, the former KIU star, managed a game high 18 points much as he couldn’t stop Makerere from winning 41-31. Daniel Ojoro led Makerere with 11 points in the game.
The result left Cavendish seven points behind leaders MUK in the five team Kampala Central 2 Conference while St. Lawrence are second following their 83-70 loss to the table toppers on Thursday.
Kenneth Mwesho was another star performer on the day, scoring 21 points as his Busitema team lost 22-62 to Kyambogo.
Without him on court, it’s safe to suggest Busitema could have scored only one point. Arthur Ainebyona led Kyambogo in the commanding victory with 20 points.
In the women’s category, St Lawrence beat Cavendish 45-29 but lost to defending champions Makerere 29-45. Action returns tomorrow with Nkumba hosting Ndejje in Entebbe.
In the Kampala Central Conference, Brian Sivachi’s 11 points helped Nkumba to a 60-35 victory over Kisubi and make up for their 56-51 loss to UMU.
In the Eastern group, Kenneth Mwesho scored 21 of Busitema’s 22 points but could not prevent his side from falling 62-22 to Kyambogo for whom Arthur Ainebyona scored 20 points.

SATURDAY ZUKU RESULTS
Men
Cavendish 31-41 Makerere
Busitema 22-62 Kyambogo
Kisubi 35-60 Nkumba
Busoga 51-42 Busitema
Busitema 18-56 IUEA
Busoga 20-00 IUIU (walkover)
Kyambogo 20-00 IUIU
Women
Cavendish 29-45 St Lawrence
Busitema 00-20 KIU (walkover)
Makerere 49-22 St Lawrence
TOMORROW AT NKUMBA
W: Nkumba vs. Ndejje, 4pm
M: Nkumba vs. Ndejje, 6pm

essenonoe@ug.nationmedia.com

KENYA Airports Authority sunk Strathmore University 70-65 in a Premier League clash at Nyayo Stadium. The students trailed 24-30 at the breather and never recovered. Luka Lukongo managed 18 points and Billy Ongute sunk 15. Liude Kakembo shot 13 points and Martin Mugambai added 12 for the students.
Umoja were up 30-22 at the break before going on to beat Mennonites 65-49. Joseph Dibondo scored 14, Makin Freeman and Gilbert Obiero each scored 13 points for Umoja. The losers had 11 from Dennis Kiboe and 10 from Felix Odhiambo
In Mombasa, reigning men champions Kenya Ports Authority whipped Zetech University at the Makande hall while Ulinzi Warriors lost 61-57 to Nakuru Club at Menengai High School. In the lower division matches, 4-Christ preyed on Little Prince 62-60, behind 21 points each from Ibrahim Yuol and Daniel Imbali. William Kioko led the losers with 21 and Victor Sege provided 16.
KCA University dismissed Don Bosco 43-40 as Lawrence Wandera nailed 13 and Alphonse Muchiri (12) for the winners. Joel Atebe pepped the losers with 14. Blazers good run continued as they clobbered Parklands Baptist 66-36. Deni Nyamichoba scored 16 points and Jay Michoma shot 11. The losers had 16 from Arnold Mulili.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/kaa-run-over-strathmore-students-tight-premier-league-match-nyayo#sthash.c5mSAgqz.dpuf

KENYA Airports Authority sunk Strathmore University 70-65 in a Premier League clash at Nyayo Stadium. The students trailed 24-30 at the breather and never recovered. Luka Lukongo managed 18 points and Billy Ongute sunk 15. Liude Kakembo shot 13 points and Martin Mugambai added 12 for the students.
Umoja were up 30-22 at the break before going on to beat Mennonites 65-49. Joseph Dibondo scored 14, Makin Freeman and Gilbert Obiero each scored 13 points for Umoja. The losers had 11 from Dennis Kiboe and 10 from Felix Odhiambo
In Mombasa, reigning men champions Kenya Ports Authority whipped Zetech University at the Makande hall while Ulinzi Warriors lost 61-57 to Nakuru Club at Menengai High School. In the lower division matches, 4-Christ preyed on Little Prince 62-60, behind 21 points each from Ibrahim Yuol and Daniel Imbali. William Kioko led the losers with 21 and Victor Sege provided 16.
KCA University dismissed Don Bosco 43-40 as Lawrence Wandera nailed 13 and Alphonse Muchiri (12) for the winners. Joel Atebe pepped the losers with 14. Blazers good run continued as they clobbered Parklands Baptist 66-36. Deni Nyamichoba scored 16 points and Jay Michoma shot 11. The losers had 16 from Arnold Mulili.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/kaa-run-over-strathmore-students-tight-premier-league-match-nyayo#sthash.c5mSAgqz.dpuf

JESHI Stars outplayed their rivals JKT Stars 67-42, to clinch the National Women’s Basketball Championship title at the National Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Friday evening.

Faraja Malaki scored 20 points at the final to steer her team glory of the annual women tournament, organised by the Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) and sponsored by CRDB.

The RBA League champions JKT Stars could not confirm their supremacy and were struggling to match their opponent’s tactics. Jeshi Stars started the game on a good rhythm, taking a 22-5 lead in the first quarter, before going to breathe 38-17 ahead.

With quality, offensive and good display, Jeshi Stars added 18-13 in the third quarter but slightly lost steam in the final quarter, in which they added only 11 points against 12 of their rivals, to register a victory.

Other top contributors for Jeshi Stars included Joyce Midodi with 15 points, as Veronica Patrick and tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Orin Titus, scored 12 and 10 points respectively.

Doritha Mbunda put up 14 points for JKT in the loss, while Lulu Joseph and Mwajuma Shabaan hit 10 and 8 points respectively.

Magreti Nicolaus of Vijana Queens was voted the tournament’s best defender and best scorer was Dawa Haji of JKU and they were awarded 100,000/- each, while MVP Titus was awarded 150,000/-.

In the third place playoff match, JKU of Zanzibar registered a massive 106-54 win over Vijana Queens. The tournament that started last week brought together seven teams with JKU being the only team from Zanzibar.

Chief guest Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children, Sophia Simba, commended JKU and said their participation help in strengthening the Union.

The minister said that Tanzania was capable of building a strong women team, but TBF will need support from sponsors and wellwishers to fulfil that mission.

“It is time for sponsors to look at other sports like basketball and assist initiative that TBF has been putting in place to develop women.”

She also presented trophy, medals and cash prizes to the winners. TBF Women’s Commission Chairperson, Angela Bondo, said that the event aimed at promoting ladies basketball in the country and thanked all teams and sponsors for making it possible.

KAMPALA.

Power have dominated the opening week of the National Basketball league; the basketball club having forfeiting four points after refusing to honour a rescheduled game against City Oilers following a power blackout.
None of the two scenarios are expected at YMCA court today when the club return to action against Diamond In The Sun (DITS).

The power outage issue is rarely a concern at the venue unlike at Lugogo while you cannot see the club refusing to honour today’s game.
The weather, like was the case during the Oilers-UCU game on Friday.

Aside from that, Power will be favourites to pick their first win against a DITS side that was overrun 81-66 by Warriors on Wednesday.
Our Saviour also losers on the same day 69-57 to KIU return to action against Ndejje in what could be the first game for 7 ft 3 center Martial Dhal.

FRIDAY RESULT
Ladies
UCU 56:52 Stormers
Games at YMCA today
Bush Court vs. Charging Rhino
Our Saviour vs. Ndejje Univ. Angels
Tiger Head Power vs. Diamond In The Sun
Ladies
KCCA Leopards vs. Gladiators

Ater Isaa tallied 23 points and a dozen rebounds in boys’ basketball as defending champions Upper Hill kept alive their hopes of retaining the title with a 79 – 37 victory over Alliance in the secondary schools Term One national games entered the third day at Nakuru Boys High School on Thursday.

In the second quarter, Upper Hill exploded and took the game to Alliance’s backyard and went on to clinch the quarter at 15-6.

Upon resumption, a well-oiled Upper Hill dominated their opponents with superb dribbling and tight marking which saw them win 16-4 before sealing the fate of Alliance with an empathic 31- 12 victory in the final quarter. Ochieng Ombee led Alliance with 10 points and while teammate Martin Bulama scored a three-pointer.

In another match, high-flying Maseno sailed into the semis when they outplayed rookies Wajir Boys 122-7 in one-sided encounter.

Paul Otula-coached Maseno led 67-5 at the interval, with Dennis Kibichi scoring a game-high 24 points, assisted by Wesley Gode (12). Wajir scored seven points through Abdinasir Rashid.

Kapenguria High School qualified for the semi-finals when they eliminated Mau Region representatives Menengai High School of Nakuru 58-29. Earlier, St George’s from Coast region thumped Kathungi from Highland region 81- 33 to finish runners-up in pool ‘B’.

Shimba Hills from Coast region qualified for girls’ semis after outplaying Kiriagara Girls (Highlands) 96- 12 to book a date with St Mary’s Mabera of Lake region.

St Brigids who narrowly beat St Marys Mabara 47-46 in the last match will now take on Parklands Arya from Metropolitan in the second semi-final match. Parklands reached the semis after hitting Loreto Girls (Aberdares) 51-31.