The National Basketball League is finally back after 2 weeks of resting and there were spectacular team and individual performances in game week 1 which showed signs of it being even more competitive than the first round.
It was the dream start, as 2 rivalries opened the second round on Friday night. JKL Dolphins and JT Lady Jaguars was the riser game and the Dolphins experience played a big role in their victory. Ritah Imanishimwe was the hot hand dropping 5 3-point shots and 17 points accompanied with 8 rebounds. Ekone Brenda (10 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) and Becky Longom (13 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist) were next on the supporting cast. Amoding Moreen injected pace into the game for the Jaguars and was with a team high 16 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists.
The much anticipated clash of the night was between “dictator” City Oilers and Namuwongo Blazers and the Oilers continued to exert their dominance humbling the Namuwongo side in a 20 point game. The oilers kicked off strong and carried the momentum throughout the game.
Saturday fixtures unfolded with drama as Ndejje Angels were given a bye against Kampala Rockets. This was down to the rockets bringing a red jersey that was clashing with that of the Angels and as a results they were punished and the game couldn’t be played.
Miracle Ravens put up a great show against Angels in game 2 of the day. Angels was with a 1 point lead to start the second quarter but they trailed by 5 going into the half time. The Angels played their hearts out in the fourth but they couldn’t close the gap and the Ravens ran away with the win. 2 player of the Raven had double doubles in Mariam Namukwaya (12 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists) and Akello Winnifred (13 points, 16 rebounds).
Nabisunsa couldn’t contain the Magic Stormers in the second half with a 17 point loss despite an only 3 point deficit at half time. Nabisunsa offense went AWOl in the second half and this gave the Stormers the edge. Ruth Nambirige picked a game high 22 rebounds accompanied with 6 points and 2 assists.
Our savior started the second round with a big victory against the KCCA Panthers whose poor form has persisted this season. Our Savior had a 12 point lead at end of the first quarter and the Panthers were chasing the game from there on. Moses Mugisha dropped a double double 19 points, 14 rebounds, 1 assist.
JKL Dolphins, UPDF duet closed Saturday’s game with the Dolphins having an emphatic victory.Denis Tom Omara was with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist, Austion Oduwour 17 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists double games. New signing Ahmed Kassa was also on fire on his debut with 14 points and 1 rebound. UPDF had 3 players in double digits Mukunzi Felix (11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists), Andrew Gang (10 points, 8 rebounds), Ferdinand Odama (11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists).
Sunday games were sent back to the NCS indoor Arena and the results weren’t as shocking as the expected teams picked up victories.
A1 challenge completed the double over Nkumba Lady Marines who are yet to win a game this season. The game was pretty much even bar the second quarter when A1 Challenge took 12:20. Nafuna Vivian (12 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists) and yaweh Precious (15 points, 2 rebpunds, 1 assists) were brilliant for the A1 whereas Isabella Namugabo was the shining beacon for the lady marine with 20 points , 6 rebounds and an assist.
JT lady jaguars came as a rejuvenated side in their second game of the weekend and they washed the Kampala University ladies clean with a 27:94 victory. It was a great team and individual performance from the ladies as 4 of them were in double digits. Sarah Ageno (17 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 steals), Maimuna Nabbosa (12 points,10 rebounds, 3 assists), Rhoda Nagitta (14 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists) and Angella Zainah Lokwameri (14 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists).
UCU Canons fired easily past the Rezlife Saints courtesy of a monstrous dominant first half were they trailed by 17 points. 4 players of UCU in double digits, Jimmy Otim (11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists), Lwabaga Ibanda (14 points, 5 rebounds) Rogers John Baptiste (11points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists) and Kevin kasobya (10 points, 1 rebound). Rexlife Saints, Thok Timothy put in a great shift with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
KIU Rangers made easy work (31:70) of Angels who lost their second game to start round 2. It was a close contest in the first quarter but the quality of the rangers started to show in the second which sent the game 21:33 into half time. The Angels offense managed only 10 points in the second half compared to the 37 from the Rangers. Diana Letaru continued her brialliant season with 14 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists. Uwineza Ninette also dropped a 16 point, 12 rebounds, 2 assists double double.
Nam Blazers redeemed themselves with a gigantic victory over the Ndejje Angels in the final fixture of the week. Even first quarter and the blazers slowly peeled away in the second quarter. A dominant second half followed with the Angels only managing 5 points in the fourth. Micheal makiadi (16 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists) and paul Odong (12 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists) and Chuol Nyuot (11 points, 8 rebounds) were phenomenal. Joseph Kumbai (12 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists) and Jonathan Oketch (17 points, 8 rebounds) were brilliant for the Angels despite the loss.
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