Tema Youth is officially a title contender despite losing to Navy in the opening week and has eyes on the ultimate prize in the Accra Basketball League (ABL). The team followed up a 53-41 win over Tudu Magic in a previous encounter with yet another strong performance to beat Reformers of Prisons 57-49.
The final game of Week Four fixtures played at the Lebanon House in Tudu, Accra, had all the elements of a great game. Suspense, controversy, hard play and sleek ball handling skills marked the game out from the two which took place prior. Both teams were riding high going into the encounter with Reformers sinking DC Dynamics as Tema dominated home side Tudu Magic in the third week.
It was Tema however, that had a better start. Combo Forward John Karikari drilled two three pointers and added two points on a driving layup. Reformers Yakubu Mohammed responded with two made three pointers of his own; both Forwards had eight points apiece in the first quarter.
Prisons upped its ante in the second quarter and deservedly grabbed the game’s lead 24-23 at the end of the first half. Point Guard Andrew Ayienab ended a barren run with a deep three and Shooting Guard Elvis Pobi Siaw assisted Felix Abagi’s jumper with a beautiful outlet pass at the top of the key.
Substitutes Kwame Boamah Djan and Point Guard Nana Owusu Afriyie began to assert themselves more on the game in the third and fourth quarters. Afriyie scored on a drive after crossing over John Ansah to begin the third and Boamah made two blocks.
Reformers Coach Prosper Agbleta had a few choice words for game officials after calls on his team which had a smaller lineup compared to Tema’s despite Boamah fouling out of the game. The bigger Tema side feasted in the post taking advantage of a Reformers lineup that featured Ayienab, Abagi and Ansah to secure a hard fought win.
