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| Hoopers against Delta Force |
Rivers Hoopers ended the first round of the
2016/2017 Kwese Premier Basketball League Season with a 64-49 points victory
over Delta Force on Thursday in Port Harcourt.
Solomon Ajegbeyi scored a game high 18 points and 5
rebounds, ensuring The KingsMen ended the first round on a high while former
Delta Force center, Oghenetano Emuhowo contributed 8 rebounds, adding 8 points.
The coach of the Port
Harcourt side, Ogoh Odaudu rested some players like Anyebe Ujo, Somtochukwu
Managor and Id Ogan, handing the likes of Victor Dakoru, Victor Atisele, and
Buchi Nwaiwu a rare inclusion while Oba Orinari returned after recovering from
a slight illness.
Hoopers started strongly (4-0 run in the opening 2
minutes of the first quarter) and never looked back in the game. Although,
Belema Alamina had the chance of extending the lead in the last 7 seconds of
the first quarter but made quick decision against the clock which resulted to a
turnover contributing to 27 times the ball was turned over by the host.
It however grew worse in the
second quarter which was more or less a bore fest with series of misses and
turn over balls from both teams with (5-10) points scored in the whole
quarter by the two sides.
The former champions did
well enough in the second half despite a 5-0 run in the third quarter by the
visitors with 1:42 seconds remaining ensuring they extended their winning
streak to 6 following their opening loss to Nigeria Customs in Lagos and
also remain unbeaten on home court.
Hoopers coach, Ogoh Odaudu
believes some of his players were match rusty which affected their performance.
“I think we did well against
Delta Force. I had the opportunity to use a lot of players that I have not used
before in a game.
“I’ll attribute their
performance to match rustiness because they have not played enough games like
the others.
“When they got to the court,
they were a bit jittery. I think they will get pass it when they play more
games,” said Odaudu.
On his part Delta Force
coach Rodrick Peter attributed their loss to
sloppy mistakes made in the game.
“My team played well but we
made little mistakes which we tried to correct towards the end of the first
quarter,” he posited.
“We made some sloppy moves
that gave them the lead against us and it’s those little mistakes we intend to
work on so that when we return here in the third phase, we will have a good
game here,” Peter added.
The second round of the
league tips off on 18th May 2017 when Hoopers entertain Nigeria Customs in Port
Harcourt.
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