Thome Cabalan Dailies

9:54 PM Ellis 1 Comments

Day 5 (afternoon)

Game 1 Hoops vs Tema Youth(Group A)
This was supposed to be an epic encounter between two of the most dynamic young teams of Accra especially due to the fact that they couldn't meet in the regular season because TY showed up late and forfeited the match. The story was different this time, as Hoops also had some problems starting the match as their unis were not in as at tip off. They started the game with borrowed jerseys but swapped to their own at the end of the first quarter. Hoops stated the game on a very low note, with Tema Youth blowing pass them 18-6 by the end of the 1st. Tema Youth started the game with impressive work on the defense and play some very fluid free flowing offense today. Hoops' played with a some dispair to everyone's amuzement. It seemed like a bad day at work as most of their key players performed below their standards. The most noticable was Sb who has had a very quiet tourney, not being his usual self. Sky Walker who hit 3 treys in a roll in thier previous game, was 0 of 6 from 3 point range today, Meme was late and did not play at all. Osofo, who plays the most minutes in the game was not just producing, but they didn't go down easy as they made TY work for every point. Tema Youth plaayed some very good 2-3 zone defense resulting in them accumulating 14 points through fast breaks throughout the game. The game went on quietly without much mayhem as Hoops found it difficult to catch up. Mc Martey had 3 blocks on the day and really was a force on the defense for TY. Hoops came into the third quarter with more ferocity especially on the D. Tema Youth was a little bit disorganised by Hoops' intensive play but managed to regroup in the 4th to keep the W. But it was Eben Borsah who led the them again to another important win. He was an impressive 5 of 9 form the 3 point range and blocked an SB 3 point attempt late in the game. With time running out, Hoops seemed very tired and somewhat disorganized as they allowed a lot of easy shots. Not exactly how the match was expected to be.... The next time these two meet will prove more... maybe both should learn to be on time that day.

Game 2 Warriors vs Holy Family(Group A)
Possibly the most quiet game of the competition so far. Holy Family who had lost their first two games played against Warriors who had also lost their first match to Tema Youth earlier in the week. Warriors led the entire game with a 15-3 run to start the first but Holy Family caught up and ended the first at 18-11. The only truly noticeable plays of the day belonged to Holy Family' centre, Gemain, who had a stellar game with various post moves and drive to the basket. He's only player who really works for his team and plays the entire game alnost everytime. Warriors won 59 -53.

Game 3 Magic vs Police (W/Group A)
Women's L defending champs confirmed their superiority today over Magic ladies. It was a very exciting game which had several moments of eye pleasing moves and entertaining basketball by both teams. Magic ladies didn't just give up even though they trailed by a wide margin. They lost with pride making sure to fight to the very end. 71-43 win for the champs.

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Thome Cabalan Dailies

12:07 PM Ellis 0 Comments

Day 5 (morning)

Game 1 Fire vs Panthers (Group B)
Another exciting game by all standards. Both teams had not won any of their matches of the tourney so far, making this game a must win for both sides. Fire started off well with a 7-0 run in the first 4 minutes. Panthers quickly made a couple of subs which saw Patrick come in. he seemed like a super sub after dropping 4 points including a dunk on the Fire defense to help Panthers equal at 7. nobody really showed up in the game for Fire as they played quite an ordinary game and yet managed to stay in the game finishing the first quarter at 13-15 for Panthers. K.Boamah was at it again taking a lot of trips to the lane finishing with a considerable number of stylish gravity defying lay ups. It was later in the second where Nasoo stepped up at the PG and dropped a couple dimes to his players for easy buckets. The game wasn't without drama as there 17 lead changes after Fire took another lead at 33-31 to end the 2nd. It was Alhaji's 4 freethrows he dropped that put Fire in the game. Alhaji drove, was fouled by Kevin who protested by hitting the ball on the floor and drawing the T. Fire ruled the game again at 37- 33 but lost it again and Panthers closed in within 1 point. Fire started to play 1 on 1 defense getting to the end of the 3rd which held Panthers to a 14 point quarter. A not feeling so well Dela came in with fwes minutes left in the 3rd but made his presence felt by working hard on the defense. The game went on with several players on both sides making several big shots and freethrows in crunch time but it was Alhaji's 4 point play which tied the game at 74 that remains the story of the day so far. With the game tied at 74 the buzzer went off sending the game into what was the first OT of this years tourney. The over time was quite eventful, Dela throws a three to tie the game again at 77. Both teams with the intention of drawing fouls started driving the lane. Game ties again at 81. Panthers' Patrick missed a point blank dunk but Karikari got the offensive rebound and made the close range 2 pointer with tension still rising as time ran out on them again. With 27 seconds to go and the game tied again at 84 by an Alhaji 3 pointer, Panthers' captain , Vincent drives to the hoop again and was fouled....He knocked down the 2 freethrows and Panthers ruled the day.Patrick dunks on the fire defense

Game 2 C.E.P.S vs Police(Group B)
From the many times I have watched CEPS play, I've never seen them coming into a game with such mental preparation and discipline as in today's match against Police. It's quite obvious they weren't impressed with their performance yesterday against the Panthers. That didn't in any way make the game easy as Police actively traded buckets in a 17-18 first quarter. The amount of talking and team play exhibited by CEPS was one that had not been seen in awhile. Police were also well composed knowing they needed a W after the L to Magic yesterday. Dodzie showed more versatility after switching to lay ups and 2 pointers after going 0 of 4 at 3 point range in the first. The entire team seemed to be have injected with some new energy as they begun to started to take control of the game. Brimah was impressive with his all round play as usual breaking down the defense and passing the rock to team mates for wide open and easy shots. Police tried as much to get back into the game but still suffered from numerous turn overs due to CEPS' tight defense. The game became another cruise for CEPS as they controlled the rest of the game ending with the highest score of the tournament so far... 93 - 72 final score!
Brimah in a power play against Police' Saddiq

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