By Our Reporter
HOOPS and Read Basketball club and First Bank Basketball Club emerged champions of the inaugural Eko Basketball League which came to an end at the Molade Okoya Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere on Sunday.
Hoops and Read held off Raptors 79-67 in a very nerve racking men's final, while First Bank defeated Dolphins 58-46 in the women's final.
Hoops and Read held off a stiff challenge from the coach Charles Ibezieakor led Raptors who kept a very close game and led 3 times until a 4th quarter breakdown in the last 2 minutes of the game.
HOOPS and Read Basketball club and First Bank Basketball Club emerged champions of the inaugural Eko Basketball League which came to an end at the Molade Okoya Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere on Sunday.
Hoops and Read held off Raptors 79-67 in a very nerve racking men's final, while First Bank defeated Dolphins 58-46 in the women's final.
Hoops and Read held off a stiff challenge from the coach Charles Ibezieakor led Raptors who kept a very close game and led 3 times until a 4th quarter breakdown in the last 2 minutes of the game.
Most Valuable Player of the league Bolaji Emilagba led all scorers with 15 of his total 27 points from 3 point range, adding 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Team mate Komonibo Victor scored 19 points, and 7 assists, Oriakhi Owen added 10 and a double double from Aliu Handed 12 points and 10 rebs ensured Hoops and Read emerged winners of the competition ahead of Raptors who had Stephen Okoro and Abel command some respect from their opponent despite the loss.
The EBL women's most valuable player, Mary Isambuk led First Bank with 14 pts and Marilyn Ogoigbe added 13 points in a game where Dolphins were limited to playing catch up for the entire 40mins duration of the match.
Dolphins' Cynthia Gbihi led all scorers with 17 points and 3 assists in the losing effort while team mate Basirat Animashahun added 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals to complete the quartet of players who finished in the game in double digits.
Chairman of the Lagos State Basketball Association, Ms. Barbara Atinuke Harper eulogised all the basketball stakeholders in Lagos for a success season which lasted 7 months with over 150 games.
"I would love to appreciate every one who has been a part of this long journey that started 6 months ago with over 150 games in the women and men's category. The board, the teams, the officials and other stakeholders.
"Like our commitment when we first came on board. We revamped the dead Lagos State city league with the Eko Basketball League, adding the Women's competition for the first time. We will continue to push the frontiers of basketball development in Lagos State with both elite and grassroot programmes. This is the beginning for us,” he assured.
The packed Molade Okoya Thomas hall had a packed hall in the final with dignitaries like the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Oluwatoyin Gafar; Legendary National Basketball coach and Former Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Council Mr Agboola Pinheiro, Nigeria Olympic Committee Secretary General, Mr Banji Oladapo; Chairman, Handball Federation of Nigeria, Sam Ocheho; Chairman Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (Lagos chapter), Mr Debo Oshundun; Chairman Lagos State Basketball Veterans Club, Alhaji Yaro amongst others.
Chairman of the Lagos State Basketball Association, Ms. Barbara Atinuke Harper eulogised all the basketball stakeholders in Lagos for a success season which lasted 7 months with over 150 games.
"I would love to appreciate every one who has been a part of this long journey that started 6 months ago with over 150 games in the women and men's category. The board, the teams, the officials and other stakeholders.
"Like our commitment when we first came on board. We revamped the dead Lagos State city league with the Eko Basketball League, adding the Women's competition for the first time. We will continue to push the frontiers of basketball development in Lagos State with both elite and grassroot programmes. This is the beginning for us,” he assured.
The packed Molade Okoya Thomas hall had a packed hall in the final with dignitaries like the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Oluwatoyin Gafar; Legendary National Basketball coach and Former Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Council Mr Agboola Pinheiro, Nigeria Olympic Committee Secretary General, Mr Banji Oladapo; Chairman, Handball Federation of Nigeria, Sam Ocheho; Chairman Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (Lagos chapter), Mr Debo Oshundun; Chairman Lagos State Basketball Veterans Club, Alhaji Yaro amongst others.
Photos: Philip Braide
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