Basketball in Africa

KAMPALA.

It has been a stormy start to this year’s Airtel National Basketball League season. First was the power black-out that forced the abandonment of City Oilers game against Power, followed by a referees strike in the lower division which led to the postponement of games.
Another feisty encounter looks to be on the cards today at YMCA when Oilers return to action against UCU Canons.

The momentum, unlike in the first six league meetings between the two teams, is with Oilers, the champions having come from two games down in last season’s semifinal playoffs to win 3-2.
“Last season’s games don’t count. It does not matter who they’ve lost or replaced. They always come hard at you,” Oilers guard Jimmy Enabu stated yesterday.

According to UCU coach Nick Natuhereza, however, today’s game is just like any other. “We shall approach it the same way we do the rest,” stated the coach, who has since lost key guards Suudi Ulanga and Sande Okot.

They opened up their season with a 61-49 win over Charging Rhino to leave Natuhereza confident about his side’s chances.
“We only lost two players and I believe we can hold our own against any other team in the league,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mark Opio and Norman Blick guided their Warriors and KIU teams to comprehensive 81-66 and 69-57 victories over Diamond In The Sun and Our Saviour respectively on Wednesday.
Warriors coach Gad Eteu could not have asked for more having raised only seven players particularly Opio, who dropped 30 points, 15 coming from three point range.

KIU, on the other hand, had Blick mark his league debut for the Kansanga-based side with 20 points while Chris Omanye added 19.

TODAY AT YMCA
Women - 6:30PM
Magic Stormers vs. Lady Canons
Men - 8.30PM
UCU Canons vs. City Oilers

WEDNESDAY RESULTS
Warriors 81-66 Diamond In The Sun
KIU 69-57 Our Saviour