NAN-S-4
Basketball
By BabatundeOgunrinde
Lagos Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) Olumide Oyedeji, Coordinator, Hoops and Read Basketball Club of Lagos on Friday expressed satisfaction with his team’s dominance of the ongoing National Division One Basketball competition in Abuja.
The team defeated Police Batons of Lagos 81-70 to extend their unbeaten run to four matches in the championship that dunked off on Nov. 21, with 16 teams vying for honours.
Hoops and Read had earlier defeated Raptors Academy 60-55 in opening game, decked Police Bombers 78-58, and whitewashed Comets of Lagos 73-56 before defeating Batons.
Hoops and Read took charge of the game from the jump ball running with a 22-9 lead in the first quarter.
Inspired by team Captain, David Edward’s 17 points, Hoops and Read had five players finish with double digits as they ran into the half-time break 43-27.
The team ended the third quarter with a comfortable score line of 67-45 before running away with the victory in the fourth quarter.
An elated Oyedeji told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Abuja that the result was a testament of good preparation of hardworking players.
“We deserve all the results we have so far and we shall continue to push harder to get the ticket for promotion into the DStv Men’s League,’’ Oyedeji said.
Meanwhile, Police Batons, who got relegated from the DStv Premier League in 2014, also tasted their first defeat out of four games in the campaign in the hands of Hoops and Read.
Their promotion to the elite division is now doubtful as any other loss could compound their chances.
The victory over Police Baton makes the youthful Hoops and Read remain poised to take the solitary automatic ticket.
In other results of the day, Comets couldn’t fly as high as they should and lost to the NAF Rockets 54-56.
Nigerian Army was 70-66 victorious over Yobe Desert Warriors, while Anambra Flames proved too hot for the Police Bombers as they won 40-34.
Ondo Raiders, however, decked Osun Lions 43-36.
The knockout stage of the competition will begin on Saturday. (NAN)
BAO/ENN/PDE
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)