CDS Basketball Championship Final: Rivers Hoopers Battle Gboko City Chiefs

CDS Basketball Championship Final: Rivers Hoopers Battle Gboko City Chiefs

Precious Oham

Nigerian basketball champions, Rivers Hoopers of Port Harcourt has secured a place in the final of the Chief of Defence (CDS) Independence Basketball Championship ongoing at the Mo Area in Abuja, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

They survived a late scare to defeat Suleja 63-60 to set up a final with Gboko City Chiefs. Abel Offia led the way with 13 points, 3 rebounds, including two 3-pointers, and was 50% from the line. Johnson Anaiye added 12; Buchi Nwaiwu also contributed 12 in the game. Nwaiwu made it a double double when he made 10 rebounds and had 3 assists. While Victor Anthony Koko scored 5 points, he made double-digit rebounds of 14 and had 4 blocks. His younger brother Ifeanyi Koko also had a great game from both sides of the floor. He shot 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Hoopers had poor shooting and could only score 3-of-22 from behind the arc and shot just 13/26 from behind the arc. Despite building a 36-30 lead at the break, it was Suleja Hornets who took charge of the game and outscored Hoopers 24-7 in the third. The first five minutes of the last quarter was a tough one for the KingsMen, who couldn't make any baskets and trailed by 12 points. Hoopers rallied late with three consecutive threes to tie the game at 58-58. They, however, ensured the 5 points made late in the game were enough as Hoopers ran down the clock for a win. Hoopers have previously played Gboko City Chiefs in the opening Group C game of the CDS Championship.