First Bank Pip Rugged First Deepwater to Finals Ticket, To Face Dolphins in Finals

Nkechi Akachili’s game high 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists combined with Chidinma Nwakamma’s14 points and reigning Zenith Bank Women’s league MVP, chioma Udeaja’s 13 points helped defending champions First Bank to their first consecutive finals appearance since 2011. The reigning champions defeated former 4 time champions First Deepwater 68-43 in the semi finals at the ongoing Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League at the National Stadium in Lagos.

The reigning champions started rather slowly as First Deepwater raced to a 10-8 lead in the opening 5 minute. But a 10-0 run in the closing minutes of the 1st quarter from the elephant girls ensured they took an 8 point lead into the 2nd quarter 18-10. The fine run continued in the 2nd quarter with First Bank went on a 18- 9 run to lead 36-19 at half time.

However, First Deepwater came out of the locker room a different side outscoring First Bank 17-11 closing the game to 9 points in the 3rd quarter 36-47, only to run out of gas in the final quarter as the reigning champions raced to a 25 points win (68-43) in the end out scoring First Deep water 21-7 in the final 10 minutes of the game.

Head coach of First Bank Basketball club, Adewunmi Aderemi said he is confident his team will defend their title successfully on Saturday.
” All we are looking at is defending our title and representing Nigeria very well at the continental championship”.
“No one can stop us “. He added

First Bank will take on the Dolphins in the Finals for the 2nd straight year after the flamboyant FIBA Africa Zone 3 champions secured their 3rd straight finals appearance at the expense of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Queens 84-49.

BENUE Princess Pip AHIP, Rocks To Final8 As First Bank, Dolphins Remain Unbeaten

The battle for qualification to the Final 8 of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League in group A went down to point differentials after 3 teams were tied on 24 points from 8wins and 8losses after the 2 phases in Abuja and Ilorin which ended on Thursday..

Benue Princess narrowly piped AHIP Queens of Kano and Plateau Rocks with a +11 points aggregate differential advantage over Plateau Peaks who had +8 and AHIP Queens with -19 to join Sunshine Angels of Akure, former 4-time champions First Deepwater and unbeaten defending champions First Bank basketball club as the top 4 seeds in the group to seal qualification for the playoffs in Lagos.

Group B was more straightforward with back to back league runners up Dolphins clearly leading the pack with a maximum 32 points from 16 games, going unbeaten including a record 127-33 whitewashing of league debutant Zamfara Babes.

Joining Dolphins in the playoffs from group B is Customs who lost only to Dolphins in both legs in Abuja and Ilorin finishing with 30 points from 14 wins and 2 losses while IGP Queens and Delta Force complete the top 4 in group with 28 points and 26 points respectively.

The Top 4 four teams from both groups will converge in Lagos for the National Final 8 as the battle for the 11th Zenith Women’s Basketball League title promises to be a cracker. The date of the finals is yet to be announced by the Nigerian Basketball Federation.

Idoko’s 12points Push Benue Princess into Playoffs Contention.

Combo guard Patience Idoko scored 12 points adding 5 rebounds on her way to leading the Benue Princess past the Oluyole Babes 52-44 in a late push for a place in the final 8.

The Benue girls who have found the going tough in Ilorin, have managed to get only their 2nd win from 5 games so far. Having won 4 games in the first phase in Abuja, the middle belt princesses with the win pushed themselves tied with Plateau Rocks for 5th who defeated Taraba Hurricanes 48-19 earlier today.

Both teams will have to slug it out with AHIP Queens and Sunshine Angels in a very compact Group A, that has First Deepwater and defending champions First Bank comfortably leading the pack and Oluyole Babes as the outsiders with Immigration and Taraba Hurricanes as the weeping girls of the group that will present only the top 4 teams in the playoffs in Lagos.

Nwakamma Hits Record 44 Points, As Dolphin Set Single Game League Record Of 127…,

Back to back league runners up, Dolphins basketball club of Lagos set the indoor sports hall of the Ilorin Township stadium alight on Friday by setting a new Zenith Bank Female Basketball league record of 127 points, in their 127-33 win over Zamfara Babes.

The FIBA Africa Zone 3 champions were powered by point guard Amaka Nwakamma who set a record for points made in a game, this season with 42points, shooting over 50% from the field and 60% from the freethrow line. Dimunitive guard Tokunbo Olaosebikan and Juliet Currency both combined for 38 points in the commanding performance over the Zamfara Babes.

Amaka Nwakamma after the victory said the victory was bold statement from Dolphins to Zamfara and other teams .
“ I heard the Zamfara Babes made some unguarded comments about us after we met in Abuja, so we decided to show them how ruthless we can be”.

“This is also a statement to all other teams that we are ready to win the championship this year”.
Concerning her record breaking scoring feat, Amaka said it is a product of team work.

“My performance was impressive but I want to thank my team mates for creating the room for me to express myself offensively”.

Dolphins continue to sit top of the Group B with 22 points and a perfect 11 wins from 11 games from the first phase in Abuja.

Zenith Bank Basketball League: Taraba Hurricanes vs Sunshine Angels

…Taraba Hurricane Pull off Immigration Upset.

Taraba Hurricane’s search for a first win of the season ended on Day 4 of the Zenith bank Women basketball League as they upset out of form old power house Immigration 52-46.

Jane Alabi and Sarah Stanley combined for 22 points for the Hurricanes as they held on from a spirited fight back from the immigration Ladies who fought back from a 12 point deficit to tie 44-44 in the final quarter, only to eventually capitulate in the final minutes of the game.

Coach Ahmedu Abba of Taraba said his girls fought for the win .
“ We lost to immigration by 1 point in Abuja, so we vowed we will beat them today and that’s we managed to do. We hope to get a couple more wins under our belt for the end of the league”.

In other results of the day FCT Queens came from behind to get their 2nd win in Ilorin with a 44-37 points win over GT2000 of Kaduna, while Nasarawa Amazon beat Coal City Queen 31-18. And AHIP Queens bagged their 4th win in the 2nd phase with a 53-45 points win over the Oluyole Babes.

First Bank set 90 point Benchmark As Issac Continue to Shine for IGP Queens

Defending champions First Bank basketball club of Lagos put up a masterclass performance as they became the first team to score 90 points in the 2nd phase of the Zenith Bank Female Basketball League holding at the Ilorin Township Stadium.

4 time league MVP, Nkechi Akashili lead the Elephant girls to a 90-28 points victory over the Ondo based Sunshine Angels, scoring 24 points, shooting a near excellent 90% from the field. Kenyan Import Lynette Atieno, Chioma Udeaja and T. Elaware all added double digits scoring 11, 14, 14 points respectively to support on the scorers sheet.

The champions remain unbeaten this season and are poised to make it 10 straight games as they face the Benue Princess in their next encounter.

Zenith Bank Female Basketball League. Dolphins vs IGP Queens

..IGP Queens continue to Ride on Issac’s Scoring.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Queens have continued to show championship calibre stuff going on a 7 game winning streak from the first phase. Championing that course is shooting guard Christiana Issac who has averaged 23.7 points per game in the 3 games played so far in Ilorin and the leading scorer at the first phase. The D’Tigress invitee after putting up 23 points this morning in their 72-16 points win over Coal City Queens said scoring comes naturally.

” Scoring comes natural to me, it’s not like I am the best shooter on our team. It’s all God, even though I work hard in practice”.

4 time champion with First Deepwater Juliet Oyelugo also showing flashes of her old self with nailing 12 points with 8 steals and 8 rebs in the win today. Up next for the Police Girls is GT2000 who are still searching for their 3rd win of the season.

Zenith Bank Female Basketball league: Dolphins Extend winning Streak to 2-0…,

Dolphins continued to underline their title credentials dismissing weeping girls in Group B Coal City Queens 75-12. D’Tigeress invitee Juliet Currency put up a shooting clinic scoring 4/8 from behind the arc to finish with 26 points and fellow guard Amaka Nwakamma added 19 points in the one sided affair at the Ilorin Township Stadium. Dolphins are now unbeaten in 9 games so far and topping their group with maximum 20 points from Phase one in Abuja.

In other results already decided, Delta Force was too much for newcomers Zamfara Babes, as they blew them 81-18 while Benue Princess came from behind to beat Immigration 41-29.

Later this evening, defending championship First Bank basketball club will face off with old foes Sunshine Angels of Akure, while Nasarawa Amazon will be gunning for their 3rd win of the season and their 1st win in Ilorin, as they take on high flying Customs. Former 4 time champion, First Deepwater also takes on Taraba Hurricanes while FCT Angels and IGP Queens battle in the final game of the day.

DStv Premier Basketball League Results

2015 DStv Premier Basketball League Results

DStv PREMIER BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Atlantic Conference

Oluyole Warriors 62-86 Lagos Islanders

Customs 54-50 Kwara Falcons

Police Baton 52-68 Union Bank

Dodan Warriors 52-42 Delta Force.

Solomon Igho in jersey No 14 of Lagos Islander blocks off Union Bank player from makes a basket during the 2015 DStv Basketball League

Savannah Conference

Kano Pillars 80-48 Plateau Peaks

Kada Stars 53-49 Immigration

Bauchi Nets 61-85 Gombe Bulls

Mark Mentors 89-58 FCT Rocks

Asaba, Ilorin Tussle for Zenith League Phase 2 hosting rights…

The technical committee in the board meeting on Sunday also placed before the board the bids from Kwara State and Delta State for hosting rights for the 2nd phase of the 2015 Zenith Bank Women Basketball League.

With the ancient city of Ilorin hosting the last 2 editions of the 2nd phase of the Zenith Bank female league, the city longs to host the national women’s Premier basketball event for the 3rd straight year.

Spectators at the Zenith Bank Basketball League

However, there 2015 hosting rights faces tough opposition from one of the strongholds of female basketball in Nigeria, Asaba, Delta state.
Asaba, perennial hosts of the 2nd phase in the early years of the Zenith league long to get back the rights, having missed out in the last two editions and cities of Akure and Kaduna also playing host of the 2nd phase in times past.

The board will announce the host for the 2nd phase as soon as the 1st phase is over following a close look at the fulfilment of the criteria set by the technical committee for both cities to win the hosting rights for the Zenith Bank Female Basketball league.

Zenith Bank Basketball League: Dolphins, Deepwater Maintain Dominance

Patience Okpe scored a team high 19 points and 4 rebounds, as Dolphins maintained their unbeaten run in the Zenith Bank Female Basketball League with a 92-29 points victory over weeping girls in Group B Coalcity Queens of Enugu.

With a commanding start from the jumpball the 2014 league runners up lead by double digits in each of the 4 quarters to send signals of their title ambitions this season.

Speaking after the match, leading scorer of the game, Patience Okpe said ” Our aspirations this season is to go a step further than we did last year which is getting the title”. Our team is built on hard work and determination and we are taught to play without any inhibitions” She added

Zenith Bank Female Basketball League: Benue Princess vs Sunshine Angels

In other results from Wednesday, First Deepwater also maintained their 100% record in the 1st Phase of the Zenith Bank Female Basketball League with a 77-16 points victory over the Taraba Hurricanes.

Benue Princess 33-31 Immigration

Zamfara Babes 8-65 Delta Force

AHIP Queens 29-39 Plateau Rocks

Another Win, Another Record For IGP Queens As They Rout GT2000

Now confirmed to be Christiana Issac, the IGP Queens guard continued her hot shooting form to set a Nigerian Female Basketball league record of 71 points in two nights as she nailed 35 points and 5 assists as the Inspector General of Police Queens powered to an impressive 83-23points win over GT2000 to record their 2nd victory in 4 games at the 2015 ZenithBank basketball league holding at the National Stadium, Abuja.

The Police girls dominated all through taking a 48 points lead into the half time break (50-12), and then outscoring their opponents in the 2nd 36-11 to coast to victory. Nancy Jonathan also added 12 points and 4 assists for the IGP Queens as they get set to observe their break tomorrow.

Christiana Issac, IGP Queens

In other results from Tuesday, former 4 times champions, First Deepwater held on to a 3 points victory after a fierce fight back from Benue Princess to win 40-37.

While experienced Delta Force powered by Uchechi Agbotan’s 22 points and Esther Igben’s double double -17 points and 12 rebounds ensured they blew out Coalcity Angels 64-12.

Sunshine Angels of Akure got back to winning ways with a 57-36 points win over Immigration while Plateau Rocks and Nasarawa Amazons got their first win of the campaign with a 45-31 and 42-6 points win over Oluyole Babes and Zamfara Babes respectively.

Zenith Bank Female Basketball League: IGP Queens, Oluyole Babes Win Big

IGP Queens Rebound To Victory Courtesy Zakari’s 36 points…After suffering a narrow defeat paramilitary rivals Customs, last night.

The Inspector General of Police Queens powered by Sadiat Zakari’s career high 36 points 4 assists and 4 rebounds took out the Coalcity Queens 87-26 in the 1st game of Day 3 of the Zenith Bank Female Basketball League holding at the National Stadium Abuja.

The Police girls dominated from the jumpball winning the first quarter 25-11, and an impressive defensive display in the 2nd quarter from the Police girls held Coalcity to just 3 points, ensuring they went to the break with a 40-14 points lead.

The girls from Enugu managed just 12 points in the 2nd half of the game as the IGP Queens bagged their 2nd win in 3 games this season.
Head coach of IGP Queens, Abraham Ogaba said It was a relief to get the win having narrowly lost their game to Customs last night.

“ We knew we could not afford to lose again today, we had to make sure we got the win and that is we did.”

IGP Queens face GT200 of Kaduna in their next game while Coalcity Queens seek their first win of the season as they lock horns with Delta Force on Tuesday .

Zenith Bank Female Basketball League. First Deep Water vs AHIP Queens

Oluyole Babes Bag 2nd Win….

Once upon a time strugglers in the Zenith Bank Female Basketball League Oluyole Babes got their 2nd win on the bounce after defeating Taraba Hurricanes 47-22. The Stephen Ogunleye tutored girls managed to coast to victory courtesy 18 points from Bose Amoo and Tobi Ogedengbe adding 10 points and 8 rebounds in the one sided encounter.

Coach Ogunleye stated that his team is setting it’s sights on the finishing in the top 3 in their group in the 1st Phase, ensuring they put themselves in a good position to qualify for the Final 8. He said:

” As the name Oluyole implies, we are female warriors and we want to make our mark in this phase and put ourselves in good position for the 2nd phase”.

Up next for the Oluyole Babes is the Plateau Peaks while the Hurricanes will have a tough task of succumbing First Bank basketball to their first defeat of the season.

Zenith Bank Female Basketball League: High Octane AHIP Queens fall To Benue Princess in 4th Quarter.

The Adolescent Health and Information Project (AHIP) Queens lost a golden chance to get their win of the campaign as they fell in the 4th quarter to a Patience Idoko lead Benue Princess.

The girls from Kano (AHIP Queens) had a fantastic 3rd quarter recovering from a poor first half where they trailed by 20 points (10-30)reducing the deficit to (7 points) 32-39 going into the final quarter.

However,inspirational performance from Patience Idoko who finished with a double double, 16 points,11 rebounds and 14 points from team mate Cynthia Gbihi ensured 2nd win of the season for the Benue Princess.

Speaking after the match, head coach of the AHIP Queens, William Morrison said his team is gradually getting into their groove and their focus is securing a place in the Final 8.

“We have prepared and worked hard for this moments, we just need to find our feet and we will start winning our games”.

Inspirational captain of the Benue Princess, Patience Idoko believes her team can get better this season if they play together. She said
“If we can play together I believe we can make the final 8.We are playing First Deepwater tomorrow and it’s going to be 5 against 5 so we have nothing to fear”.

As Benue Princess get set for their next encounter against the former four time champion, First Deepwater, AHIP Queens will be have a day of rest and enough time to prepare for Plateau Rocks on Wednesday.