KCC LEOPARDS 64
A1 CHALLENGE 62
Wednesday evening Game III of the play-off best-of-five semi-final series, A1 Challenge faces off with KCC Leopards. If A1 Challenge win this game, then Game IV on Sunday would be the last nail in the coffin in as far as KCC Leopards resistance is concerned.
With the squad lists for both clubs looking familiar except for KCC who were missing their star player Miriam Hamala who was absent because of her work place being upcountry so making the trips from up north down here and back in the middle of the week, is quite inconveniencing especially if there isn’t facilitation from your camp.
Nantaro Carol and Akullo Becky were all struggling though the latter rose up and gunned a three pointer shot that saw them leap over A1 Challenge’s 62 to end the match on 64 points.
Monica was out on foul trouble again for the second game in a row.
By half time A1 Challenge comfortably led 37:33. Their defensive approach was good with Lizzie picking up all the loose ball in the defense with help from Namukasa Betty and it was pretty neat.
Third quarter was pretty sloppy by A1 Challenge’s standards giving away so many turnovers giving KCC Leopards a chance to close the gap with Baby nailing a couple of three pointers and then Carol doing what she does best and that is shooting on the line with her sweet left shot.
At some point in the third quarter, I thought the big three pointer shots from Kyomugisha Gloria, Babra and Hatima Kassim would send a message to the KCC Leopards coach. However there was a lot of loose ball passes which KCC Leopards totally utilized and punished A1 Challenge handing them their second loss in the semi-final play-offs.
This leaves the A1 Challenge ladies in a tricky position, whereby they have to win the Game IV on Sunday to force a Game V otherwise it all over.
Hatima Kassim’s 20 points could not save the A1 Challenge ladies from that unfortunate defeat. Personally I’m so disappointed in the overall A1 Challenge display because was it was found wanting.
Game IV on Sunday will surely be a test of the A1 character in all the departments [offensively and defensively] which is going to be key.
Liz needs to get more into the game as a big man especially sealing off those points after beating off her marker in the offense which she does enjoy doing and also working those ball passes especially after picking up the defensive rebounds. Because a couple of loose passes had the team punished. And secondly avoid being fouled out which is a hard ask.
Namukasa Betty needs to become more assertive in the game especially on her offensive game because she is a hard-worker and that can really be an asset if she can become more assertive in Game IV.
Kyomugisha Gloria needs to place emphasis on the loose quick break passes especially with the forwards because if there is no link, the point guard will end up looking bad. Otherwise her shooting keeps getting better. She is the gel in the team, orchestrating the team game plan offensively and defensively. Speaking of defensively, when it comes to marking Baby out of the game.
Hatima Kassim is simply a resilient player to watch who will literally fight her way through whichever defense to put points to the score sheet. That resilience will play to the teams’ advantage if she brings it all and doesn’t hold back anything.
Namayega Josephine has a passion of defense and on her good day can totally shut out her marksman. Offensively she has a pretty good shot and on a good day given the chance you can be gunned down. Though, she sometimes gets into un-necessary foul trouble.
Mulwana Olivia who has a great command of her team and is pretty tactically disciplined threading beautiful passes and controlling the pace of the game. Critics complain of her being slow but believe you-me she compensates that with lots of intelligence and a great shot.
Mavita Ali is another one of those players who can change a game totally. Don’t be deceived by her physique because she is pretty intelligent and adventurous and will put any defense on their toes offensively but she has to keep persistence and pressure from the start to the finish because with opposition like KCC Leopards you can not afford to go to sleep not-once-not-ever.
Barbra is another of the hard-workers A1 Challenge has and though has not featured much in the play-offs she can mean to be a headache to the offense. Good shooter of the 3-points and defensively disciplined. She also just has to work on the fight in her and persistence from start to finish and a little more confidence when shooting because she has a great shot that has to be said.
Angella Lokidi had a great Game I in the semi-final play-off offensively and she was all over the defense of the KCC Leopards but her performance in Game II and III have not been as consistent especially when it matters most like sealing of the lay-ups after beating off her man. Angie and Liz have it in them to torment the KCC defense if they can perfect their finishing because their all round game is good.
Mugasha Carol is another defensively disciplined player with an impressive work rate. She has not featured much in the play offs. Did not feature at all in Game III yet she was on bench. With the fatigue that most players happened to be showing I thought she could have been brought in to close the gaps that Hellen and Carol of KCC kept finding themselves in. Hopefully with the fight she has in her she can be brought in to close the offensive options KCC Leopards may throw on the court.
Vickie is also another of the great defensively gifted players and un-sung outfits in the A1 Challenge camp who won’t mind getting fouled out if it means sacrificing herself for the team. However, in Game IV I think she has to be hard but also a little carefully to avoid being fouled out because sometimes it can hurt the team.
With Sandra Munduru being drafted into the team recently she has some attributes in her game to work on especially her shot because Sandra has a great shot and is versatile so to speak. Having not featured much during the play-offs, means she has fresh legs and that will be crucial if Coach Nyambogo Hamza gives her a chance in Game IV.
One thing is for sure, Game IV needs players that are going to guarantee you blood and sweat on court from the start to the finish because one thing Game IV has no room for is complacency and sluggishness you can quote me on that.
On that note great game to my friends and family in A1 Challenge I need you in the play-offs finals so I will be waiting for Game IV and Game V because we aren’t going anywhere.
I love you all.
Number III fan
Alo Kay JNR
surely twaz a disappointing night in the office for the entire team leading in all departments and falling short in the final quarter
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