Nigeria’s senior national male basketball team, D’Tigers began their Olympic preparation on a good note, beating the Chinese team, hosts of the 4-Nation tournament, the 2016 Stankovic Cup in Beijing yesterday 79-71. The coach of the Chinese team, Gong Luming who blamed the loss on the absence of his key player and former NBA star […]
via Stankovic Cup. D’Tigers beat China 79-71#RoadToRio — newfanzoneblog
Experienced Delta Force forced their way past the Nigeria Immigration team 62-37 on Wednesday morning to continue their unbeaten start to the 2016 Zenith bank Women Basketball league.
Powered by forward Uju Agbotan’s 23 points and 4 rebounds and 10 points apiece from Esther Igben and Ogoh Bolum, the South-South Queens pulled an unassailable lead against their opponents from the blast of the whistle, running through the 1st quarter with 26-8. Immigration put up a fight in the 2nd quarter limiting Delta force to just 12 points but poor execution on offence meant they themselves put up just 6 points in the quarter.
The 3rd and 4th quarters saw delta Force maintain the status quo with the scores at 13-6, 11-7 respectively, completing a Delta Force dominance. As they retained the 2nd place position in group A behind champions Dolphins.
In other results of the day Nasarawa Amazons defeated Taraba Hurricanes 43-32, while Oluyole babes continued their search for their first win of the campaign, they fell to AHIP Queens of Kano 37-46. FCT Angels came from behind to defeat Sunshine Angels 32-30 in the clash of Angels and GT2000 overcame Zamfara Babes 84-64.
Thursday Fixtures
GT2000 vs Oluyole babes
Plateau Rocks vs Nasarawa Amazons
Delta Force vs Zamfara Babes
Sunshine Angels vs Coal city Queens
Customs vs immigration
Benue Princess vs FCT Angels
First bank vs IGP Queens
Dolphins vs First Deepwater
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has announced that it’s will be starting it’s domestic league season for both Men and Women this weekend of the 18th and 19th of March 2016 respectively.
The men’s DStv Premier Basketball league, which was scheduled to jumpball last weekend will now commence resume today as defending champions Mark Mentors start their title defence against Kada Stars of Kaduna in front of their home fans at the indoor sports hall of the national stadium Abuja. While plateau Peaks host Bauchi Nets and Niger Potters welcome Immigrations to Minna on the Friday fixture. Former triple champions Kano Pillars will host Bauchi Nets in one of 4 fixtures on Sunday in the Savannah Conference at home in Kano.
The Southern Conference also known as the Atlantic Conference will feature just 5 teams of the regular 8 teams this season following the suspension of Lagos Islanders, Lagos Warriors and Union Bank by the NBBF after opting to play in what it described as an illegal league, in the ABL.
The Nigerian Customs team will host newly promoted Royal Hoopers of Port Harcourt in Lagos, while Oluyole Warriors welcome Kwara Falcons in the first of 2 encounters on Friday before playing again on Sunday.
The league is expected to last for 13 weeks with playoffs and finals coming up in June.
Following the successful Draws for the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games at the House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland.
D’Tigress and Celta Vigo Basketball club Point Guard Sarah Ogoke says she’s confident the DTigress team have what it takes to represent Africa at the Rio Olympics after Nigeria got seeded alongside Belarus and Korea in Group C
“I am super confident in our ability and our chances of getting one of the 5 tickets to Brazil. Belarus and Korea will be tough opponents in the preliminaries, but i know we have enough talent to compete and get out of the group”.
“Our aim in France to end up in Brazil”. She added
Sarah Ogoke led Nigeria in assists at Cameroun 2015 with 4.4 assists per game, scoring 6.9 points per game then adding, 4.2 rebounds per game and 1. 4 steals per game.
The 12 team tournament which is billed for the city of Nantes, France from June 13 -19th will also see runners up at the 2015 Women Afrobasket, Cameroun slug it out with Turkey and Argentina in the preliminaries in group B.
The Full list of the Draws;
Group A: Cuba, New Zealand, France
Group B: Cameroun, Turkey, Argentina
Group C: Belarus, Korea, Nigeria
Group D: Venezuela, Spain, China
Afrobasket Show tip-off on LTV every Wednesdays
A new television sport show – The Afrobasket Show is due to hit the airwaves from Wednesday 13th January 2016 on Lagos Television, LTV.
The 30-minute all basketball television programme will focus on basketball events in Nigeria including the men and women leagues and Nigerian players abroad with in-depth analysis from basketball technocrats.
The weekly basketball show will air every Wednesday between 9.30 pm and 10.00pm. The Afrobasket Show was conceived to bridge the gap in basketball reportage and coverage in Nigeria.
This programme is arguably Nigeria’s first dedicated Basketball show on Tv and Viewers can catch it on terrestrial via LTV, LTV is also available on DSTV channel 256, This Programme promises to be a sponsors and advertisers delight and it will have on set every week some of the best minds in the game in Nigeria.
So far, Comets have not lost any game in the conference and still look good to give hosts Royal Hoopers
Proprietor of Comets of Lagos, Ayo Bakare, whose team is currently competing in the ongoing Men National Division Basketball League in Port Harcourt has revealed his intention was not to qualify the DSTV League but expose the bunch of talented young boys in his club to the dynamics of playing in the league.
This is coming as Comets have continued to display good basketball artistry in the tournament meant for the qualification of two teams one each from the Atlantic and Savannah to replace demoted FCT Rocks and Police Baton.
So far, Comets have not lost any game in the conference and still look good to give hosts Royal Hoopers big fight when they clash on Thursday afternoon in a game that will most likely determine the leader of the group.
On Sunday, in their opening game, Comets beat Osun Lions 95-22 and defeated Raptors 71-54 on Monday.
In spite of their good displays, Ayo Bakare, a former national team coach believes exposure is key first for his boys than playing in the elite DSTV League. “I am not too ambitious about playing in the DSTV League; rather my interest is in exposing my team and the young boys to league atmosphere. This is because most of them have not played at this level before. They are bunch of young and new players hungry for exposure and competitiveness at this level. I have only three of them who have played in the league about 3 seasons ago, most of them have not experienced league action reason why I am willing to expose them.” He revealed
The League board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (N.B.B.F) on Saturday released the date for the 2015 Division I and Division II Championships, the feeder leagues for the DStv Premier Basketball League.
The Division I championship which is the 2nd tier of club basketball in Nigeria, annually produces the 2 teams that replaces the 2 relegated teams from the DStv Premier League every year. The tournament is set to hold from the 27th November to 6th December, 2015, while the Division II championship will take place a few days before the Div-1 battle from jumps off, from the 15th -22nd of November,2015.
The league board who are yet to name host of both championships are still considering bids for the Division I championship by cities Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Port Harcourt, while Enugu and the FC T, Abuja have also shown interest in hosting the Division II championship.
Last season, FCT Rocks and Delta Force gained promotion from Division I having emerged champions of the National Division I championship while the Zamfara Shooters sparked up the indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium Abuja to gain promotion to Division I this season by emerging champions of the Division II championship from nowhere.
Twenty Four teams across both championships are expected to battle for the title and a chance to step up their status in Nigerian Club basketball ratings.
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.
….As team Jets out to Madagascar Tomorrow
Director General of the NSC, Mallam Alhassan Yakmut was on hand with NBBF delegation led by its President, Tijjani Umar in a brief send forth for the National U16 Basketball team, as the team is set to depart for Antananarivo, Madagascar tomorrow for the FIBA Africa U-16 Championships from 10-19th July, 2015.
The ceremony which took place at the Indoor Hall of the Abuja National Stadium had the full delegation of 12 players and six officials leaving for the Madagascar capital to battle their contemporaries across the African continent.
Mallam Yakmut admonished the players to see themselves as Nigerian Ambassadors and represent Nigerian with pride at the tournament.
” It is a great privilege to represent Nigeria at 16, be good Ambassadors of your country. Go all out and do us proud”.
The NSC Director General further went on to give kudos to the President Tijjani Umar and NBBF board for relaunching its participation at age grade competitions during his tenure as DG.
The NBBF President, Mr Tijjani Umar on the other hand urged the players not to be worried about any situation as there are officials to worry about all their needs, which has been provided for by the NBBF with the full support of the National Sports Commission.
Head Coach Adeka Daudu responded on behalf of the team thanking the NBBF for the opportunity given the technical crew to tutor the team for the championship and promised that they will be good Ambassadors and won’t let the country down.
“I thank you for the opportunity to serve our great country once again, I promise we won’t let you down and all Nigerians in Madagascar”.
The team departs Abuja for Lagos Wednesday(tomorrow) morning to catch a flight to Antananarivo by 12 noon.
Here is the list of the 18 man delegation for the 2015 FIBA Africa U16 Championships.
Players
1.Daniel Menani Denis
2.James Happy Rita
3.Seye Antorufa Anita
4. Okoli Maureen Chidimma
5. Oduah Vanessa Isioma
6. Akinbode James Onome Mary
7. Udueyin Omotayo Ruth
8. Ibeh Chinelo Lucy
9. Ezekiel Monica
10. Okoye Ifunanya Rosemary
11. Adams Ene Blessing
12. Ezeh Jennifer Adaeze
Officials
1. Daudu Adeka – Head Coach
2. Ogunade Shomala Shola – Assistant Coach
3. Manuwa Ademola – Team Doctor
4. Salami Priscilla Eniaghe – Physioterapist
5. Famogbiyele Olayinka Kehinde – Accompanying Referee
6. Okon Anya Patience – Team Secretary
Most valuable player of the tournament Stanley Gumut powered Nigeria to victory in the final of the inaugural FIBA Africa Zone 3 3×3 Tour at the national Stadium in Lagos with 9 points and 6 rebounds as Nigeria beat a stiff opposition from Cote d’ivoire to win 17-13.
Stanley Gumut expressed Joy winning the championship: “I fell great really, it always feels great to be a champion”.
Yahaya Abdul also came up big in the final minutes scoring 3 of his 5 points Azuoma Dike added 3 points to outwit the Ivorian team who lead 9-7 and tied the game 13-13 with less than 2 minutes left. Adje Anouh scored 5 points while Codlibal Abdoul added 4 points in the loss for the Ivorians.
“This is a great competition and i hope the organisers will continue because it early helps basketball in Africa”. Codibal said.
Team Nigeria took home $2000 alongside medals and trophies for victory in the final game while Cote d’ivoire went home with $1000 including medals and Ghana who beat Togo in the 3rd place game beat Togo 18-14 won $500 for their effort.
In the U18 category Liberia emerged champion having conquered Nigeria in the Semi finals before edging past Cote d’ivoire 14-12. The Nigerian Boys couldn’t shake off the semi final disappointment as they once again fell to Togo 8-11 in the 3rd place playoffs.
Senior Men Final
Nigeria 17-13 Cote d’ivoire
3rd Place Playoffs
Ghana 14-18 Togo
1st Nigeria- $2000
2nd Cote d’ivoire – $1000
3rd Togo – $500
MVP- Stanley Gumut.
Senior Women Final
Nigeria 21-9 Togo
Benin 13-7 Ghana
1st Nigeria- $1000
2nd Togo – $750
3rd Benin – $300
MVP -Chioma Udeaja
U18 Boys
Finals
Liberia 14 – 12 Cote d’ivoire
3rd Place
Nigeria 8-11 Togo
U18 Girls
Final
Nigeria 11-3 Benin
only 3 countries participated in the category.
Nigeria, Benin and Togo.
There were also cash rewards for the Slam Dunk champion,3 Points shootout champions for the 4 categories.
Oluwafemi Adefeso
photo credit: Akinkunmi Farinto
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.
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.
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