Showtyme Hoopers, Hoop Dreams maintain unbeaten run as Ibadan City Basketball League hits Match Day 7
By Tobi Adepetu and Betty Enoch
It’s smiles all the way for Showtyme Hoopers and Hoop Dreams at the maiden edition of the Ibadan City Basketball League (ICBL), as the two clubs winning streak enters Match Day 6.
Liberty Spears of the Olubadan group failed to hold their ground at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex as they fell to Hoop Dreams 29-37 points to extend Hoop Dreams conservative unbeaten run.
Trust Hoppers who edged out Egbeda LG on Match Day 5 tried to replicate this again but this time things didn’t go too well as The Polytechnic held on to their lead.
The Polytechnic of Ibadan showed they meant business as they sidetracked Trust Hoppers 52-47 points to kickoff Match day 6, to keep their dream of a top finish alive.
It was a walk over game as Egbeda LG failed to show up gifting Showtyme Hoopers a 20 – nil victory to keep them on course for sweet League story line.
Showtyme Hoopers are yet to feel the pain of defeat as they hope to make their work in the inaugural edition of the Ibadan City Basketball League a huge success.
On Match Day 5 Showtyme Hoopers beat rock bottom Adamasingba Spartans 44 to 26 points, Trust Hoppers and Unibadan Warriors all recorded wins.
Trust Hoppers edged out Egbeda LG 40-35 points while Unibadan Warriors defeated Liberty Spears 44-39 points.
The smiles that the thrilling and well organized ICBL is putting on people’s face certainly can not be overemphasized as the Vice Chairman of Oyo State Basketball Association (OSBA) and CEO of Hoop Dreams, Barrister Damola Awosika, is very happy and satisfied with the smooth running of the maiden edition of the ICBL.
He explained that they will continue to work hard every day in order to make the ICBL a huge success and a reference point for other states of the Federation to learn from.
Barrister Awosika made a passionate appeal to well meaning individuals, corporate bodies in and around Oyo State to support the Ibadan City Basketball League (ICBL).
Board members of the Oyo State Basketball Association (OSBA), are currently footing the bill of the League. He stressed that OSBA cannot do it all alone.
“We have done a comprehensive package for any person or organisation interested in supporting the slamming and dunking game in Oyo State, the home of the game in the South West region of the country.” The Vice Chairman stated.
“Individuals or corporate organisations with deep pocket and passion for basketball can pick up any of our various sponsorship packages: Endorsement, Full sponsorship, Associate sponsors, Partners and suppliers and the benefits are massive,” Awosika added.
The OSBA is already planting the seeds of a Secondary School Basketball Championship as a result of the success story of the ICBL.
The Ibadan City Basketball League (ICBL) which started on 29th of April has nine teams participating and six venues are hosting games.
The clubs are:
✓ Showtyme Hoopers
✓ Adamasingba Spartans
✓ The Polytechnic
✓ Loyola Warriors
✓ Liberty Spears
✓ Trust Hoopers
✓ Hoop Dreams
✓ Egbeda LG
✓ Unibadan
The six venues for the city league are:
★ Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba
★ Ajani Sports Complex, Alakia
★ Liberty Stadium Basketball Court
★ University of Ibadan Basketball Court
★ The Polytechnic Basketball Court
★ Loyola College Basketball Court
The top two teams in each of the groups qualifies for the City League play-off and about a million naira has been set aside as prize money for the League that runs for ten weeks.
