In the opening game of the season, the JT Lady Jaguars and the JKL Lady Dolphins treated us to some thrilling basketball action.

This was the most hyped game, even better than the Men’s given the talkability the 2 team’s had generated during the off-season.

The JKL Lady Dolphins are the defending Champions and are looked at as the favorites to win again and make a three-peat.

However, after the acquisition of Shakirah Nanvubya and to a small degree Aziida Nabayunga, the JT Lady Jaguars became a team to be feared, even more.

In that game, the JT Lady Jaguars won 75-71, with Shakirah Nanvubya being the head of the snake, dropping 18 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists.

Hope Akello and Becky Longom also had wonderful productivity with each registering a double-double.

In the remainder of the first round, both JKL and JT lost to the KCCA Leopards and they finished 3rd and 2nd respectively.

However, in the second round, JKL, as expected, got revenge against KCCA but fell to the UCU Lady Canons.

The Lady Jaguars once again lost to the KCCA Leopards in the second round and this is going to be a very big game for them.

Why is this game huge?

These 2 teams are still looked at as the favorites and if they meet in the playoffs, either would want to be looked as the ‘better’ side.

Not so many pick the JT Lady Jaguars to ahead of the Lady Dolphins but if they can complete a double over them, the way we look at both teams completely changes.

Some of the intriguing things in this game will be how JKL bounce back after a defeat and how they can will set up.

When the 2 sides met in March, Becky Longom, Ritah Imanishimwe, Flavia Oketcho and Evelyne Nakiyingi all played significant minutes.

However, Becky has been out due to injury for most of the season, Ritah has missed a good number of games dating from the end of the first round, Flavia Oketcho is not in the country and Evelyne Nakiyingi has also missed the last 2 games.

In the absence of all these, JKL has managed to win most of their games but that loss against the UCU Lady Canons changed the perspective of many about them.

Perhaps the biggest thing we shall be looking out for before the tip-off is the availability of Evelyne Nakiyingi.

Without her, who will point the ball? Who will facilitate?

Honestly the Lady Dolphins have to adjust a lot and playing against a top team, you have to bring your A-game.

This game is more about bragging rights but for the JT Lady Jaguars, if they win, their confidence of going all the way increases.

If JKL win, this will be an assurance to them not to worry as they can find solutions, despite missing manh players, and still win big games.

If they lose, and depending on the margin, the coaching staff will now have to start working out different formulas to help them in the post season.

Even though this game is huge, it doesn’t count for much because of the fact that it’s just the regular season.

The winner or loser should not determine their season performance on this game because by the time the playoffs come, a lot will have changed.

Hope Akello will be the biggest person to look out for in JKL after her 30 piece against UCU.

Sarah Ageno has also been working a lot for the Lady Jaguars and after a slight injury, how much can she give you in this game?

Shadia Nassanga registered 3 consecutive double-doubles, including one against the KCCA Leopards but she has not hit high numbers in the last 2 games.

On the other hand, Mercy Batamuliza registered a huge double-double in their last game.

These 2 shall also gave their moments and possibly have a go at each other.

Finally, we all know that Shakirah Nanvubya will be pointing the ball for the Lady Jaguars but who will take care of the basketball for the JKL?

The undetermined match up will also be very interesting to watch.

The two teams face off on Friday 20th at Lugogo Indoor Arena at 7:00 pm.