TOO CLOSE TO CALL
CANTONMENT - The much talked about game was here with us. Not forgetting all the thrash talking and claims made by both sides before the game, one can say the game lived to expectation. Both sides played very appreciable defense not allowing any cheap baskets. The game was very low scoring(ending 59-57 for CEPS) comparing the fact that both teams had higher PPG's(95.2 for CEPS and 72.5 for hoops) before the game. So what really did both team do or not do right?
IN THE PAINT
CEPS had a height advantage over the hoops centre since they have the tallest centers in the L. On the other hand hoops had a more athletic front who made up for their lack of height with the leaping abilities (as was exhibited by Serge with his dunk over the CEPS defense). Reggie played very good ball for hoops making use of his quickness and post moves to dram some fouls at the low post. CEPS' Reginald Lartey was phenomenal down post( for me, he's one of the best low post players in the L ) making a lot of moves that can only be made by somebody with adequate knowledge of the game and considerable experience. Abdul Razak of hoops was his usual self, very energetic all day especially on the defensive end since he couldn't contribute much on the offense unless for tip-ins or point blank shots. Nobody can forget the two blocks on both
ends of the floor. First Robinson was blocked hoops' Osofo and then the very demoralizing block of SB as he went up for a two hand slam by CEPS' Richard Darko. Enter Hashim for CEPS. He was just all over the floor, grabbed rebounds, kept the ball on the floor and made strong moves to the baskets and created alot of scoring opportunities for CEPS' guards to shoot treys. BACK COURTS
It was a backcourts battle all day long, from Wiston Cole's ankle breaker on Dodzie to Dodzie's treys to the scramblings for loose balls. The hoops' guards also did a good work of staying on Dodzie through out the game not allowing him uncontested shots as he was 5 of 18 from beyond the arc( a mere 27.8%).Winston and SB might have entertained the fans with fancy moves but Dodizie won the day for CEPS. He went to the charity stripe to knock down all three shoots after being fouled on a three point attempt and then hit another dagger trey with less than a minute to go on the clock. Borsah was his usual slick self, knocking down shots when he was open or driving to the hoops and dishing out dimes to his teammates for high percentage shots. His defense was also not bad on the day as he got a couple of steals(something he's known for) from the hoops guards. Nii Kwartey added he's own twist to the game for CEPS. He did such a good job guarding Cole when he came in. He and Dodzie worked together a couple of times to trap Cole which ended in mishandling of the ball by hoops guard and eventual turn overs. Kwartey didn't have a very good shooting day as he missed too many a shot from the mid range.
OFFICIATING
I think the match wasn't an easy one for the officials since almost any call they made was questioned especially by the side it went against. "The referees in Ghana attach too much personal grudges and harbor some hatred towards some people"; that is to quote one the fans around. But these allegation are not very much verified and i don't think we should create anymore of those( considering what happened after the match). The league as a whole needs to come out with very stringent rules concerning issues of player behavior and complaints about officiating during matches. To be on the referees' side for a moment, one may ask why everybody complains about officiating yet nobody is stepping up to take courses and become referees. As far as am concerned, these are the referees we have, even if they are bad we should try to bring out the best in them and stop the constant nagging during and after games.
X FACTORS
For CEPS, Robinson was their charm for the day. One way or the other, the hoops team didn't pay much attention to him and he made them pay for it. He dropped a quick 10 points before they noticed him and that was when Osofo sent him down with a block. Hoops' was Meme, showed up late for the match, entered in the fourth and knocked down a trey way beyond the arc after a scramble and a steal from the defensive end. That was his only shot for the day but it did wonders for the hoops team. They were sought of re-energized after that.
COMPOSURE
Surprises filled the day, as the hoops bench was more composed compared to the more experienced CEPS side. CEPS' nearly showed some immaturity, I think they over stood up from their bench but then you can't blame them. This is sports and tension and anxiety is the name of the game.
4TH QUARTER
There were 9 lead changes in this quarter alone after hoops drew at 43 and took their first lead of the game at 45. Hoops had found a rhythm in driving and drawing fouls, but it didn't seem to work well, why?, they weren't knocking down the free throws and that from my view was why they lost. Dodzie then then knocks down his 3 free throws and a trey and then went out after a light sprain to the ankle after slipping.
All said and done, this wasn't a match for the faint hearted because even watching it was not even easy. Adrenalin flowed in my blood streams all day....hmmm(sigh) what a day it was.
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