The JT Jaguars camp made a big announcement on Tuesday, 22nd August, 2023 about the status and availability of Power Forward Sarah Ageno.
The Club posted “The White Jaguars will miss @sarah_ageno for a number of games due to a sustained injury during her national duty call while she featured in game 2 Team select vs National team.
The available MRI scan reports show partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament.”
The Club adds that Sarah will not be available for the playoffs and it’s most likely that she’ll be back on the court next season. They said
“Due to this ligament injury, the White Jaguars will have to hunt without the power forward.
We wish her a quick recovery, and hope to see her back stronger.”
Sarah Ageno has been arguably the best player for the Lady Jaguars and in the league generally and many fans were very shocked when she wasn’t included as part of the Gazelles team that represented Uganda and finished 7th at the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket in Kigali Rwanda recently.
With this new development, it seems that this injury could have been part of the reasons why she wasn’t in the squad.
Ageno is among the 6 players averaging a double double in the the NBL. She leads the her team in points scored and efficiency.
She averages 14 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.8 SPG and a 53.8% Field Goal percentage.
She is a very big weapon for the Lady Jaguars and when available she has started all the games (16) and lost only 2 times. She’s also averages 29.6 minutes per game, which shows how much the team relies on her presence on the floor.
Injury effect
The JT Lady Jaguars have played 21 games, lost 4 and are on course to being the top seed. They will be playing the KIU Rangers in their final game of the regular season and this game could probably be the determinant of who will get the number 1, but the Rangers still have 4 games and any loss could make them finish 2nd or 3rd.
If they finish top, they will most likely play A1 Challenge, Kampala University or Angels who are all battling for the final spot in the playoffs.
If they finish 2nd, they could potentially the Miracle Ravens who have produced some shock results this decision including a win against KIU Rangers in round 1.
The Jaguars most recent victory came against the UCU Lady Canons in overtime and it was very clear that the team struggled a bit without the services of their most lethal player.
It was even more evident in their game against the KCCA Leopards which they lost with a 1 point difference. The Leopards had more size in the paint and thus scored 26 points in the paint and picked 15 offensive rebounds compared to 18 and 13 for thr Jaguars.
The absence of Sarah who brings some height and size in the team will mean that other players will have to step up for the Jaguars.
Muhaimuna Namuwaya is the tallest player for the Jaguars averages 9.6 rebounds and only 5.5 points. She’s also with 34.3% Field Goal percentage and a very underwhelming 28.9% from the free throw line.
It’s no doubt that defensively Namuwaya is a monster, but on the offensive end, she’s very underwhelming and has a very a small impact.
While playing the big teams, shooting may fail at some point and they will look to use the paint. But from the stats of Namuwaya who should be the most lethal due to her height advantage, it is seen that she is unreliable in that aspect.
That now leaves the question, who will step up for the Lady Jaguars? Will they change strategies?
Sarafina Dricuru, Alado Patricia and Marion Esther could be the other alternatives to offer some size for the Jaguars but it is yet to be seen if they can fill the gap left by Sarah Ageno.
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