Showtyme are early pacesetters as Ibadan City Basketball League begins

By Maxwell Kumoye

The inaugural edition of the Ibadan City Basketball League (ICBL), began at the weekend at the Sports Complex of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, with four games on the cart.

Showtyme Basketball Club, started their quest to reach the League’s Play-Off on a sound footing by knocking down TTP by 62 to 34 points. They dominated the encounter from start to finish, winning every quarter.

The win was the biggest result of the first day of the League that has nine clubs participating.

Hoop Dreams that is gradually engraving their name in the game in Oyo State and beyond had the upper hand over Unibadan in the second game of the City League. It ended 47 to 37 points in favour of Hoop Dreams managed by Barrister Damola Awosika.

The Polytechnic and Liberty Spears were the other winners of Match Day 1 of the Ibadan City Basketball League (ICBL), a brain child of Oyo State Basketball Association (OSBA).

The Polytechnic secured a nine points win over Spartans 41-32 while Liberty Spears defeated Loyola Warriors by 44 to 26 points to close Match Day 1.

The top four at the end of the round robbin league will qualify for the final play-off and the eventual grand finale to determine the City League Winner.

Over seven hundred thousand naira has been set aside as prize money for the Ibadan City Basketball League (ICBL).

Barrister Damola Awosika who is also the founder and CEO of Hoop Dreams Nigeria explained that, the Oyo State Basketball Association’s goal is to make the City League an annual event in it’s calendar.

Awosika, further said, “The Ibadan City Basketball League is not just about growing young talented players but also a massive vehicle to develop International referees and table officials.

“We also hope, in partnership with the Oyo State Referees Council, to use this opportunity to introduce interested participants to get into refereeing and consented effort are been made to increase and improve the pool of professional referees in the State.” Awosika who is also the CEO of Dewberry Associates, noted.

“The new board of the State Basketball Association is determined, focused and committed to their mandate through effective administration, to develop the game that will deliver oriented results.” Awosika concluded.

Mrs. Oluwatosin Adekunle the Scribe of Oyo State Basketball Association (OSBA) stated that three games are on the menu on Wednesday Match Day 2.

Showtyme have a date to keep with The Polytechnic at the Loyola Basketball Court in the first game of Match Day 2.

At the same venue, Unibadan will file out against Loyola Warriors and Spartans battles Egbeda LG in the last game of Match Day 2.

ALL MATCH DAY ONE RESULTS:

TTP 34
Showtyme 62

Unibadan 37
Hoop Dreams 47

Polytechnic 41
Spartans 32

Liberty Spears 44
Loyola Worriors 26

MATCH DAY TWO PAIRINGS ON 03/05/2023:

Showtyme vs
The Polytechnic

Unibadan vs
Loyola Warriors

Spartans vs Egbeda LG