Korle-Bu Kings recorded their second straight win in the Rush Community Basketball League with a roller-coaster 49-39 win over Nima Viper over the weekend.
The match produced massive excitement with fans leaping over their seat at the Accra Polytechnic basketball court.
Having already beaten the Dansoman Wolves in their second game in the tournament, they continued their winning ways and courtesy another win, put themselves firmly in the race for the title.
The Kings spotting Ghanaian actor John Dumelo’s “JMelo” logo on the front of their jerseys, made good on their shots earlier on in the first quarter. The Vipers responded with quality plays inside the paint as both teams traded points. Korle-bu however, curtailed Nima’s threat from the inside to lead the first quarter 20-10.
John Dumelo sat courtside with fellow actor James Gardiner as both men cheered on the Dumelo- owned Kings who increased their lead to 12 at a certain point in the second quarter. The second quarter had no luck in terms of 3-point shooting from both sides as a total of seven were attempted to no avail. Kings Point Guard Oppong made a couple of buckets off steals to ensure his team went into half time with a comfortable lead.
Call it a tale of two halves; having a fairly decent game played in the first half, the remaining quarters dissolved into foul laden ones that robbed the game off its pace and momentum.
Nima’s ability to come back from huge deficits shown in their previous game was tested but did not materialize this time around as their shots still weren’t on target.
Nima’s disjointed play was attributed to the absence of star men Mutalib Alhasan and Aliu Tamimu to national duties according to Richard Afedi in a post game interview. Overzealous, over physical play caused Seidu Akilu to leave the game with an ankle injury in the third quarter. Korle-bu ended the quarter 37-24 winners.
Frustrations on missing a lot of shots- missed all 10 shots beyond the arc- caused team leader Richard Afedi or “Baby Shaq” to vent his angst on his teammates and Coach Abeiku Solomon.
Kings Coach got a technical called on him for complaining a wee bit too much after a contentious call in his view. The Kings saw off the game 49-39 following free throw makes from the Vipers.
Human Highlight: In the 4th quarter Kings Guard Oppong crossed over Baby Shaq to score a nifty layup. He led the Kings in scoring and steals with 11points and 4 respectively.
