Basketball in Africa

Kampala.

After winning just three of their first round games (3-8), Sharing Youth are making a late charge for the playoffs following a three-game winning sequence in the Airtel National Basketball League.

Victory today will move them above Charging Rhino, a team they are likely to tussle it out with for the final eighth play-off spot and who are left with two games against Warriors and Tiger Head Power.

This makes Sharing’s game today at YMCA against Power a potential banana skin for the five-time champions. Key to Sharing’s late surge has been the influence of former Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) duo of Brian Muramba and Alex Lugasi.
The pair is averaging 18 and 16 points respectively from the three games that include a 72-62 win over Warriors in their last game a fortnight ago to improve to 7-12 and just outside the playoff places.

Today’s game also offers what looks like the best chance for a Sharing win with high-flying UCU Canons and KIU Titans the other games left for the Nsambya-based side.

They will also be buoyed by an inconsistent Power team that crushed to an 80-75 defeat to Ndejje University Angels before an 87-80 overtime win over Warriors last Friday.

With five games left, Power should also be keen on a win that would improve coach Rober Mugabe’s side from an 11-6 record and their current eighth placed rating.


PLAYING TODAY AT YMCA
Our Saviour vs. Bush Court, 6:30pm
Tiger Head Power vs. Sharing, 8.30pm

Strathmore Blades dominated from start to the end as they overran Unites States International University - Africa (USIU-A) 80-57 in a Kenya basketall Federation men's Premer League match at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.
The win saw Blades complete a double over USIU-A this season after beating their opponents in the first leg in May.
Blades used their key player Joseph Ongoro early enough to do the damage. He set off the tempo with two straight three-point shots and a basket for a 8-0. Ongoro finished the quarter with 15 points, 71 percent of his team's total score in the 21-18 win.
Blades who won the second quarter 19-14 to lead 40-32 at halftime came out stronger in third quarter with a 26-8 win but lost the fourth 14-17. Ongoro, who shot 69 percent at the three-point line, top-scored for Blades with 26 points while Kevin Kigotho had 14 points for USIU-A.
Blades scored 33 points from the three-point line and 19 from the free-throw line while USIU-A had six points off the three-point line and eight from free shots.
In the same league, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) collected maximum points from their tour of Nairobi. They beat Terror 75-51 on Saturday and Umoja 79-59 on Sunday.
Against Umoja, Evans Letting top-scored with 17 points while Athiey Lwal hit four three-pointers to finish with 15 points. Michael Munene top scored for Umoja with 16 points while Joseph Dibondo added 15.
Anthony Ojukwu, the KPA head coach had the opportunity to rotate his playing unit for both games to give more players playtime. He told sportsnewsarena.com that earlier losses have not complicated his team’s chances of defending the title.
The first loss was at home to Nairobi City Thunder. “I took full blame for that loss because my substitutes never worked. The starting five were fine but those that I brought in failed to click and we actually surrendered a 21 points lead,” he said.
Ojukwu: Poor officiating cost us
That was followed by back-to-back losses against Nakuru Club and USIU-A. “The loss to Nakuru was largely due to poor officiating so I never lost to a better team. Against USIU-A, I did not even consider that to be a game,” Ojukwu added.
“We did not have a referee and I fielded a weak team. USIU-A insisted on playing because they had travelled all the way from Nairobi so we decided to use that as a training game. To our surprise, it counted and that's how we lost. We can beat USIU-A any day.”
With three losses, Ojukwu has no fears of surrendering the title notwithstanding the fact that some of his players are based in Nairobi. “I am not worried because I know we will be ready for playoffs. I believe we have the best team.”
In another match, Co-operative Bank beat Strathmore University 76-62 in a game they had to wait until fourth quarter to be sure of a victory.
Strathmore did not surrender the game without a fight. The students started as the better side with a 4-0 lead inside first minute and had stretched to 9-3 with five minutes played to win the quarter 17-13.
With 6:40 of second quarter played, Strathmore’s lead was cut to a point at 19-18 but they surged ahead to lead 26-18. When the clock had 2:30 of play left, Co-op Bank took over leadership for the first time at 27-26 but Strathmore bounced back to re-take the lead 28-27 at 2:09.
Co-op Bank led again 29-28 at 1:56 but Martin Mugambi nailed a three -pointer for Strathmore to lead 31-29 at 1:26. Co-op Bank was in the lead again 33-32 at 0:30 to play and went to the breather leading 34-32.
Lead changed hands six times
Third quarter witnessed a similar display as both teams exchanged leadership at intervals of two points all through. In this quarter, the lead changed hands six times and was tied two times at 36-36 and 44-44.
The bankers went to fourth quarter with four points lead and had extended to ten after four minutes played at 62-52 to win the quarter 24-14.
Job Byron scored highest for Co-op Bank with 14 points and Joseph Khaemba added 12. Cliff Alela was the highest scorer for Strathmore with 15 points, Robert Otieno added 13 while Samuel Mogoko and Keith Adams scored 10 points each.
Equity Bank beat Mennonite 71-32.
Women's Premier League defending champions USIU-A narrowly beat Western Delight 54-47 in Kakamega. Head coach George Mayienga said the scoreline was okay considering the circumstances under which they played.
“That is not a worry. We had only six players because others had exams and we enjoyed a good lead only to allow them a comeback. When your opponent scores four three-pointers, they will definitely catch up and that is what happened.”
The game between Co-op Bank and Ulinzi Blades at Upper Hill was rained off with 1:14 remaining in third quarter and Ulinzi leading 36-31.
Masaku Sparks won 67-21 over Kenyatta University Oryx with quarterly scores of 29-6, 14-2, 9-6 and 15-7 respectively. Pamela Sinda top scored with 15 points while Hilda Ndegwa and Felmas Adhiambo added 11 each.
Berine Awour scored three three-point shots and a free shot to top score for Oryx with 10 points.
Results
Saturday: Western Delight 47 USIU-A 54, JKUAT 42 Little Prince 39, Blazers 57 Nebulas Kakamega 45, 4-Christ 77 Kisumu Lakeside 58, World Hope 80 MKU Thika 78, Masaku Sparks 67 KU Oryx 21, Terror 51 KPA 75, Don Bosco 57 Baraka Xtreme 79, Equity Bank 71 Mennonite 32; Sunday: Little Prince 55 Lakeside 66, Umoja 59 KPA 79, Barclays Bank 58 ANU 44, Strathmore University 62 Co-op Bank 76, USIU-A 57 Blades 80.

Warriors’ Sam Gombya fights for the ball with Michael Makiadi of Tiger Head Power during over time of their game on Friday. photo by Ismail Kezaala  

United States International University- Africa (USIU-A) hope they can overturn a first leg 57-61 loss to Strathmore Blades when the two varsity rivals meet this weekend at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.
In this match, Blades will be playing a slightly changed team. USIU-A lost their point guard Victor Bosire to Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in mid-season as well as Abel Nson who turns out for Nairobi Aviation College. Another guard Joseph Khaemba returned to Co-operative Bank.
But, Blades is still intact and hoping to make it a double. Joseph Ongoro, Peter Shilton and George Okoth are some of the key players expected to give USIU-A stiff challenge on court. USIU-A have  experienced Yoni Wanambiro, Kevin Kigotho and Alvin Nyangweso.
Blades are top of Western Conference with 28 points while USIU-A are seven points behind with three games at hand.
In another match, Ulinzi Warriors hope to keep the pace with Blades by securing a win over Lions on Sunday.
KPA have an opportunity to catch up with Eastern Conference leaders Nairobi City Thunder when they play twice in Nairobi. On Saturday, they face University of Nairobi’s Terrorist and Umoja on Sunday.
Terror has not been performing well losing eleven of their fifteen games. They are up against a side which has lost only thrice in 13 outings and are the league's defending champions.
Terror could bank on the individual brilliance of Collins Ochieng, Frank Manyala and William Mayiel but will need the support from teammates to score a rare win.
KPA has creme de la creme of the league to line up against the students including Valentine Nyakinda, Arou Ramadhan, Tobias Onyango and Martin Kitonga. But after losing to Nakuru Club in first leg, the dockers cannot afford to underrate Terror.
Formality match
Their match against Umoja might a formality. Umoja has underperformed with eight losses from 12 games.
Co-operative Bank will play Strathmore University while Zetech University will face Kenya Airports Authority (KAA). Nakuru Club will be seeking their third straight win when they tackle Kenyatta University Pirates.
Equity Bank will play against Mennonite hoping to win and push their playoffs qualification chances a notch higher. After a shaky start, the bankers are faced with the risk of missing out on the playoffs for the second season running as competition in Eastern Conference is tight.
Newcomers Zetech are shaping up as serious contenders while Strathmore are also in the running to join red hot Thunder, KPA and Co-op Bank.
Jeremy Opiyo, Jeremy Yongo and Joshua Kisali have been instrumental to Zetech’s fine form in their first season. Unless Mennonite register their third win against Equity, their arithmetic for league survival will become complex.
Women Premier League champions USIU-A travel to Kakamega to play Western Delight on Saturday. Masaku Sparks who have been impressive in the second leg have a date with Kenyatta University Oryx who have only two wins in ten games.
KBF Weekend Fixtures
Saturday: USIU-A vs Western Delight (11a.m., Kakamega), ANU vs EMYBA (9 a.m., Upper Hill), JKUAT vs Little Prince (10:30), Blazers vs Nebulas Kakamega (12:00), 4-Christ vs Lakeside (2:00), KAA vs Zetech University (4:00), Don Bosco vs Baraka Xtreme (9 a.m., Nyayo gymnasium),Masaku Sparks vs KU Oryx (10:30), World Hope vs MKU Thika (12:00), Terror vs KPA (2:00), Equity Bank vs Mennonite (4:00); Sunday: EMYBA vs Nebulas Kakamega (10:00, Upper Hill), KCA-U vs JKUAT (12:00), Ulinzi vs Lions (2:00), KU Pirates vs Nakuru Club (4:00), Little Prince vs Lakeside (9:00), Barclays Bank vs ANU (10:30), Umoja vs KPA (12:00), Strathmore University vs Co-op Bank (2:00), USIU-A vs Blades (4:00).

KAMPALA. The national women’s basketball team, the Gazelles, face the prospect of missing out on another continental championship unless Fuba raises Shs360m ($100,000) to fund their trip to Cameroon for the September 24 to October 3 AfroBasket Championship.
The team has just missed out on the All Africa Games after National Council of Sports (NCS) slashed the travelling contingent due to lack of funds. “We must find a way of travelling otherwise we risk a three-year ban and Shs144m in fines,” Fuba president Ambrose Tashobya said during a press briefing at Hotel Africana yesterday.

The team qualified for both tournaments after winning the Fiba Africa Zone V Championship held here last year. “We missed a unique opportunity, a hard earned one and it hurts that some federations who are just trying to qualify are given money yet we sent a budget to government last year,” Tashobya, flanked by national team committee chairman, Mohamed Santur, said.

“The Sports Commissioner, Omara Apita, told us Shs1b was released to NCS for three disciplines; netball, athletics and basketball. Shs580m was given to netball and when we asked for money all we were given was Shs36m ($10,000) in addition to the Shs82m President Museveni gave us,” the local basketball body boss explained. According to Tashobya, Fuba only paid $5000 of the $20,000 outstanding dues to the international basketball federation, Fiba. Fuba committed to complete the balance before the women’s tournament.

Ramathan Arou of City Oilers tries to dribble past UCU’s Desmond Owili during last season’s semifinal playoff series at Lugogo. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA 

By Elvis Senono

Posted  Wednesday, September 9   2015 at  01:00

Today is exactly 30 days since City Oilers last played a competitive game. Their last Airtel National Basketball League game was a 59-50 defeat of Charging Rhino on August 9. The men’s national team, the Silverbacks’ participation in the Fiba Afrobasket, has had a lot to do with Oilers’ inactivity as their clash with KIU Titans was postponed.

That period of lull has two faces; the two-time defending champions could be rusty or the players are in fine form after getting rid of niggles.

Their coach Mandy Juruni must be hoping for more of the latter as they face minnows Diamond in the Sun at YMCA court today.
“You cannot rule out the rustiness but we should still be able to cope with it,” said Juruni, who during that break, has also been away with the national team.

The coach also thinks Ben Komakech is close to return after a lengthy injury layoff. “He is about 50 per cent fit but may find it difficult to handle the physical demands of the game at the moment,” Juruni said. The two-time playoffs MVP hasn’t featured this year after undergoing knee surgery back in January. Without the mercurial point guard, Oilers have won 14 of their 16 games, a record only matched by UCU Canons.

That could be treated as water under the bridge as the important period of their season is yet to come. The playoffs are on the horizon and Oilers know they must up the ante in their chase for a three-peat. Also, they have to travel to Rwanda for the Fiba Africa Zone V Club Championships next month hoping to improve on their third- place finish in Mombasa last year.

Perhaps, a game against Diamonds, who have lost all but one of their 19 games thus far, doesn’t serve as perfect preparation for the task ahead. However, Juruni will know that players are only good when playing. He must also feel desperate to see Burundian forward Landry Ndikumana dominate the opposition.

Today at ymca (men)
Bush Court vs. Titans 6:30pm
City Oilers vs. Diamond 8:30pm                                                                                  

Mennonites women's basketball tcould be relegated after forfeiting their Kenya Basketball Federation weekend game against Ulinzi Blades at Upper Hill School.
They compete in the Eastern Conference and are winless after 14 matches. It was the second match Mennonites has missed this season.
Their male counterparts are treading the same path and lost both matches at the weekend. On Saturday, they fell 49-95 to Blades.
In this match, the students won all quarters 21-14, 17-4, 21-9 and 36-22. Joseph Ongoro had 25 points for Blades while Mennonite's top scorer was Maina Irungu with 14.
On Sunday, they were convincingle beaten 98-52 by Ulinzi Warriors.  The soldiers dominated all quarters winning 19-8, 27-8, 27-15 and 25-21. Eric Mutoro (Ulinzi) and Irungu Maina (Mennonite) top scored with 21 points each.
After the weekend results, Mennonite have lost 12 from 14 matches.
Umoja may also be relegated. They also lost two matches this weekend. Umoja were beaten  64-45 by Nakuru Club on Saturday in a match where Gilbert Obiero (Umoja) and George Kiarie (Nakuru) top scored with13 points each.
On Sunday, they were beaten 68-44 by Strathmore. Umoja share the bottom slot in the Western Conference with Mennonite at 16 points but have played two games less.
A third team which could be relegated are Lions who were beaten 76-64 by Blades on Sunday. They have 17 points. Peter Shilton scored highest for Blades with 23 points and Victor Ochieng top scored for Lions with 20.
Blades and Ulinzi are still neck-to-neck at the top of the summit with 28 and 27 points. Kenyatta University Pirates, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and Nairobi Aviation College are all in the relegation zone in the Eastern Conference.
Pirates were not in action this weekend. KAA and Aviation lost their games. KAA was beaten 87-78 by Strathmore University after trailing 33-39 at halftime. Strathmore won the first three quarters 20-19, 19-14 and 23-19 before KAA won the fourth 26-25.
Trevor Ochieng scored highest for Strathmore with 22 points while Vincent Anyim had a game high of 28 points for KAA and Steve McOdongo 20.
Ulinzi won all quarters
Ulinzi Warriors inflicted a 99-29 defeat to Aviation. They won all quarters 23-6, 17-9, 23-6 and 36-8. Eric Mutoro scored highest for Ulinzi with 21 points while Abel Nson had 13 for Aviation.
Pirates are on 17 points while KAA and Aviation are tied at 18 points. Equity Bank with 19 points from 12 games still remain in danger following their 49-55 loss to Nairobi City Thunder on Saturday.
Strathmore pulled away after double wins to increase their tally to 22 points same as Zetech University who lost 56-72 to Thunder. In both games, Griffin Ligare combined for 39 points. Thunder is at the top with 32 points.
In the women's Premier League, Equity Bank and Kenya Ports Authority had a fruitful tour of Western Kenya against Kisumu Lady Bucks and Western Delight.
KPA beat Western Delight 80-20 helped by a combined 30 points from Annerose Mandela and Evelyn Itabu. They beat Kisumu Lady Bucks 77-42.
Hilda Indasi and Samba Mjomba helped Equity to double wins; 66-34 against Western Delight and 64-41 against Kisumu Lady Bucks.
KPA went clear at the top of Eastern Conference with 26 points. Strathmore University are second on 24 points after beating Sprite Storms 46-42. In this match, Susan Abwoga tscored 15 points. Mercy Wanyama replied with 13 points for Storms.
Equity are third on 22 points while Kenya College of Accountancy University (KCA-U) have only won two of their 12 matches.
Kisumu Lady Bucks and Western Delight are in Western Conference and have 11 and 12 points respectively. They are at the bottom of the log while KU Oryx has 12 points as well.
KBF weekend results
Saturday: Western Delight 20 KPA 80, Kisumu Lady Bucks 41 Equity Bank 64, Barclays Bank 61 EMYBA 47, Blades 95 Mennonite 49, Strathmore University 87 KAA 78, Umoja 45 Nakuru Club 64, Equity Bank 49 Thunder 55, Nairobi Aviation College 29 Ulinzi Warriors 99; Sunday: Kisumu Lady Bucks 77 KPA 42, Western Delight 34 Equity Bank 66, Mennonite 0 Ulinzi Blades 20, Strathmore University 46 Sprite Storms 42, Don Bosco 62 4-Christ 67, Little Prince 50 Parklands Baptist 48, Umoja 44 Strathmore University 68, KCA-U 78 Baraka Xtreme 43, World Hope 56 EMYBA 61, Ulinzi Warriors 98 Mennonite 52, Blades 76 Lions 64, Thunder 72 Zetech University 56.

Nairobi City Thunder reaped big from the weekend's Kenya Basketball Federation league action to take control of the men premier league’s Eastern Conference after registering double wins.
They are now 28 points, four clear of second-placed Co-operative Bank.
After beating Umoja 70-58 on Saturday, Thunder maintained the momentum on Sunday with a 78-47 win over Nairobi Aviation College at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.
With player-coach Ben Oluoch missing from their lineup, NAC had a mountain to scale against one of the form teams in the league. Abel Nson and Maurice Obillo were the key players for the aviators but could not withstand the pressure.
NAC  enjoyed a brief 3-0 lead for the opening two minutes of the game courtesy of a three-pointer from Obillo. Thunder then made two baskets to take the lead at 4-2 and went on to press hard and dictated play to the end.
They won the first two quarters 20-10 and 32-12 for a 52-22 halftime lead. Aviation won the third 17-15 and Thunder the fourth 11-8. Griffin Ligare tormented Aviation with 29 points, grabbed three rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Charles Kituyi added 20 points and grabbed four rebounds and four steals. Obillo finished the game with 23 points for Aviation who scored 18 points from the three-point line and six from free shots. Thunder made fifteen free shots and five three-pointers.
Blades also made it two wins out of two for the weekend beating Kenya Airports Authority 70-61. In the absence of Ulinzi Warriors, Blades ascended to the top of the Western Conference with 22 points.
Billy Ongute made the first basket for KAA as they strolled to a 8-2 lead in the first five minutes of the game. Blades fought back and at 4:16, Emmanuel Soja made two free shots as they led 9-8.
At 2:14, Alphas Muema overturned the lead for KAA at 10-9 with a basket as they went on to win the quarter 14-11.
Opened up a big lead
With only 2:70 played in second quarter, KAA had opened up a big lead of 20-11 as the quarter ended 14-all. Third quarter was the main turning point for Blades.
With less than two minutes played, they were leading 30-29 but KAA charged ahead 31-30. Peter Shilton fired a 3-pointer to give Blades a 33-31 lead and stretched that to eleven points. Blades won the quarter 31-19 as they led 56-47.
KAA matched up the pressure in fourth quarter and with 48 seconds remaining, they trailed by two points at 61-63. Their shaky defense saw Shilton sink a three-pointer and two free shots plus a basket from Soja to seal the win.
Shilton finished with 24 points including three three-pointers while Brayan Shivachi top scored for KAA with 17 points and Alphas Muema added 12. Blades made 23 free shots and five 3-pointers while KAA scored 16 points from free shots and one three-pointer.
In division one, Blazers push to make a return to the top league suffered a big dent after losing their third consecutive game. They lost 60-78 to Baraka Xtreme after trailing 35-42 at halftime.
Baraka won first quarter 20-13 with the second ending in a 22-all tie. In second quarter, Baraka scored 18/22 from the 3-point line. Baraka won the remaining quarters 14-11 and 21-14 respectively.
Amos Wachira shot 12 points from the arc to top score for Baraka with 27. For Blazers, Jay Michoma made eight free shots, one three-pointer and three baskets to top score with 17 points while Joe Koech added 11.
In other games, Trailblazers beat World Hope 69-55 and Barclays Bank won 68-57 against 4-Christ.
Sunday Results: Barclays Bank 68 4-Christ 57, KAA 61 Blades 70, Blazers 60 Baraka Xtreme 78, Trailblazers 69 World Hope 55, Thunder 78 Nairobi Aviation College 47.

Captain Omony was one of the bright prospects in Uganda’s campaign. COURTESY PHOTO 

By MAKHTUM MUZIRANSA

Posted  Thursday, September 3   2015 at  01:00

Basketball. Warriors relied on 12 points apiece from Mark Opio and Joshua Etalu to recover from Wednesday’s 72-62 defeat to Sharing Youth and move to a 9-9 record.

Kampala. There have been some really good games between Warriors and Star Times Falcons; the 2012 final series won 4-2 by the latter quickly coming to mind.
Friday’s meeting between the teams however will not rank high among those. Warriors in the end won it 70-66 in front of a half empty Lugogo MTN Arena.
For long periods though it appeared as if neither side really wanted to win until Warriors took a 42-30 lead in the third quarter.
That seemed to spur the Falcons to life who won the third quarter 20-17 thanks in part to Vinnie Jurua’s game high 13 points albeit not enough to avert a first defeat for new coach Bernard Oluoch.
Warriors meanwhile relied on 12 points apiece from Mark Opio and Joshua Etalu to recover from Wednesday’s 72-62 defeat to Sharing Youth and move to a 9-9 record.
The defeat for Falcons was meanwhile their sixth as they slumped to 11-6 this season.

Power today
Today Tiger Head Power who have played only three second round games will seek to improve their 10-4 record with victory against Ndejje University Angels.
The game could also be a first for veteran guard Abdulahi Ramathan who missed the entire first round while away at home in Tanzania.

Today in the Airtel Fuba League
Women:
Gladiators Nkumba vs Lady Marines
12pm
Amazon Rhino vs UCU Canons
2pm
Men:
Our Saviour vs Charging Rhinos
4pm
Tiger Head Power vs Ndejje Univ. Angels 6pm
Friday results
Warriors 70-66 Falcons
Amazon Rhino 50-28 KIU Rangers

FORMER national champions Ulinzi Warriors walloped Nairobi Aviation College in a Premier League show at Upper Hill School courts.
The soldiers led 40-29 at the breather and went all the way after resumption. Eric Mutoro sunk 21 points while Joshua Okumu registered 16. Abel Nson collected 13 for the sinking NAC.
George Kiarie scored 13 points to lead the visiting Nakuru Club to a 64-45 victory over Umoja, who had 13 points from Gilbert Obiero and 12 from Michael Munene. Thunder struck Equity Bank 55-49 in a closely fought duel. Griffin Ligare buried 16 points and Kevin Choge posted 12 for Thunder. Enock Ogecha had 11 each for the losers. Blades cut Mennonites 95-49. The students took a 38-18 half time advantage and went on to bag maximum points. Joseph Ongoro scored 25 and Jonathan Kishibaya managed 11. Maina Irungu hit 14 and Wycliffe Olanya had 11. Strathmore University beat Kenya Airports Authority 87-78 as Trevor Ochienga tallied 22 points and Cliff Alela bagged 12. Vincent Anyim led the losers with 28 and Steve McOdongo recorded 20.
Kenya Ports Authority thrashed Western Delight 80-20 at the Police Canteen in Kakamega. Evelyne Itabu nailed 14 for the ports women while Annerose Mandela shot the host 16. At the Kisumu sports ground, Equity Bank beat Lady Bucks 64-41 as Hilda Indasi scored 17. Eleanor Musundi, Samba Mjomba and Linda Mfuchi all chipped in with 10 each.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/ulinzi-warriors-wallop-aviation-college-easy-duel#sthash.JVMmjXWB.dpuf