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Tag: Basketball

Rivers Hoopers through to 2024 Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final

Prince Odutola03 mins

Defending champions Rivers Hoopers have secured a spot in the Final of the Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Final Eight after edging Gboko City Chiefs 79-73 in a hard-fought semi final showdown on Sunday. Kelvin Amayo led the charge with 22 points, while Okiki Michael and Buchi Vincent Nwaiwu chipped in with 14 and 13 points, respectively. Nwaiwu made it a double-double with 12 rebounds while adding 2 assists and one three pointer midway through the third quarter. Rivers Hoopers continue to dominate the league, boasting the best offensive and defensive record. Their stifling defense was on full display, as they recorded an impressive 11 steals and 5 blocks. The game was marred by controversy as Gboko City Chiefs repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with refereeing decisions, prompting a 30-minute delay. The contest eventually resumed 6 minutes into the third quarter.  Timothy Kwaor who finished with a game high 24 points for City Chiefs shot 6/11 from deep. Kwaor made three straight threes at the start of the fourth quarter. He however ran into foul trouble and was made to leave the game with four minutes remaining to play. The KingsMen did more than enough to seal the victory over Gboko City Chiefs. This victory marks the KingsMen’s fourth victory in four meetings over Gboko City Chiefs, underscoring their dominance in the league. The first outing was at the Final Four in Port Harcourt last November and twice in the Chief of Defence Staff Basketball Championship in Abuja last month. Unbeaten this season (11-0), Rivers Hoopers aim to secure back-to-back Basketball Africa League (BAL) appearances when they face Hoops & Read in Monday’s final.

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Basketball: Rivers Hoopers begin title defence this month

Prince Odutola01 mins

Rivers Hoopers will tip off their title defence when the 2024 Nigeria Premier Basketball League begins on 25th October. According to a press statement released by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to all teams, the league will be held in two phases: the first phase and the final eight.  Atlantic and Savannah conferences will be played in Benin and Jos, respectively, from 25th October to 3rd November.  Hoopers will play against Lagos Legends, Police Batons, Delta Force, Kwara Falcons, Comets, Oluyole Warriors, and Hoops and Read in the Atlantic Conference in Benin.  The top four teams from each of the conferences will advance to the final eight, billed for 13-19 November in a yet-to-be-decided venue. The champion will represent Nigeria at the 2025 Basketball Africa League.

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Rivers Hoopers win CDS Basketball Championship

Prince Odutola03 mins

Reigning champions of the Nigeria Premier Basketball League, Rivers Hoopers have emerged champions of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Independence Day Basketball Championship after their 72-59 win over City Chiefs at the Mo Arena on Sunday. It is the second time in five days the KingsMen have beaten the Titled Men at the CDS Championship in Abuja and the third time in almost a year. Hoopers defeated City Chiefs in the opening game of the Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final four in Port Harcourt last year. Abel Offia, who was awarded the most valuable player, scored a game-high 20 points, shot 2-of-3 three-pointers, and went 6/6 from the free throw line. New Rivers Hoopers recruit Patrick Abah added 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. The former City Chiefs forward had 70% field goals, including 2/3 three-pointers in 27 minutes while Buchi Nwaiwu helped defensively shooting 7 points and making 9 rebounds with 3 assists and 2 blocks to go with it Hoopers had taken a 19-10 lead after the first quarter, but a slow start to the second quarter and missed baskets found their lead cut down to 2 at the break. With two minutes left to play, Hoopers took advantage of consecutive turnovers made by Chiefs to score eight points and extend their lead to 13 points. Chiefs had little or no answer as the KingsMen ran the clock down to emerge champions. Next for Rivers Hoopers is to return to Port Harcourt and prepare for the 2024 Nigeria Premier Basketball League Phase one in two weeks time in Benin, Edo State.

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Basketball: Rivers Hoopers defeat Kano Pillars, advance to semis

Prince Odutola02 mins

Reigning champions of the Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL), Rivers Hoopers defeated Kano Pillars 59-42 in the quarterfinals of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Basketball Championship in Abuja on Saturday. It was a game that renewed old rivalry between the two teams and the two coaches (Ogoh Odaudu and Scott Nnaji). Although 99% of Kano Pillars’ players who last played against Hoopers in the league had left the team, leaving just Azuoma Dike as the only veteran on the team. The KingsMen, whose last meeting with Pillars was the group stage of the 2022 NPBL Final Eight in Lagos, started the game with a 6-0 run in the first quarter. Hoopers led in all four quarters of the game, and had a slim 31-22 lead at the break. Despite efforts from Pillars to close the gap in the third, the KingsMen outscored Pillars 12-10 to take an 11-point lead into the last quarter.Pillars, who played with a six-man rotation, wore out in the fourth and could barely keep up with the momentum in the last 5 minutes of the game. Rivers Hoopers will play Suleja Hornets in the semis on Saturday evening at 4pm.

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CDS tourney: Rivers Hoopers remain unbeaten, face Kano Pillars

Prince Odutola02 mins

Rivers Hoopers have been drawn to play Kano Pillars in the quarterfinals of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Independence Basketball Championship in Abuja. The KingsMen defeated Gilali 77-41 to finish the group stage without a defeat, while Gboko City Chiefs finished second with two wins in Group C. Unlike the first two games, Hoopers took care of business in the first half and sailed through the remaining part of the game. At halftime, Hoopers had built an 18-point lead heading to the third quarter, which was extended to 29 points (62-33) going to the fourth. Although the KingsMen took their feet off the gas in the last quarter, they outscored Gilali 18-6 to pick up their third victory of the tournament. Hoopers will play against Kano Pillars at 8 a.m. on Saturday. The winner will advance to the semis scheduled for Saturday evening, while the winners of the semis will play in the final on Sunday.

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