Basketball

Mo Heat Basketball Tops Group A of Mark D Ball Championship

Published

3 years ago

February 12, 2022

Mo Heat Basketball of Abuja topped the final standings, with a perfect seven wins from seven Group A games, of the 2022 Mark D Ball Men’s Basketball championship,with first of Group A coming to an end on Saturday in Abuja.

Mo Heat, a new Franchise based in the nation’s capital, trounced Apa Flames of Benue 126-77, to further underline their credentials, as a team that should be playing in the Nigeria Premier Basketball League.

Prior to Saturday’s victory, Mo Heat had also won all of their previous six games in the tournament, and were the first team to tally 100 points, when blowing away Ahip Giants of Kano 104-60 on Thursday.

They finished on 14 points and a massive goals difference of +165, to place first ahead of the duo of Gombe Bulls and Hot Coal Ballers of Abuja, who both finished with 12 points, having lost a game each.

The Bulls with a slightly better goals difference of +66 placed 2nd, while Hot Coal Ballers with an inferior goals difference of +61 was 3rd.

Nile University of Abuja, Apa Flames of Benue, and Police Baton of Lagos all ended up with 10 points each, but placed 4th, 5th, and 6th in that order, on superior goals difference.

In 7th with 9 points was FRSC Safety Knights of Abuja; while AHIP Giants of Kano brought up the rare in 8th position, with 7 points, but was the only side to have lost all their seven games.

Saturday’s other games decided, saw Gombe Bulls pip Nile University of Abuja 74-69; Police Baton of Lagos earned a battling 57-55 win over FRSC Safety Knights; while AHIP Giants of Kano lost their 7th match at a bounce, when losing 55-68 to Hot Coal Ballers of Abuja.

The Championships continue next Saturday with the eight teams populating Group C, taking to Court of the Indoor Sports Hall, in Package B of the MKO Abiola National Stadium.

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Basketball

Bauchi FA Chairman Patrick Pascal Honoured at Be Happy Basketball Tournament

Published

2 months ago

January 21, 2025

The Gleamer

Bauchi State Football Association Chairman, Patrick Pascal, was honored at the recently concluded Be Happy Basketball Tournament in Bauchi. The annual event, sponsored by former basketball international Danjuma Maijama’a Wunti, brought together over 13 basketball teams from across Nigeria for a week of exciting competition.

The 2025 edition of the tournament saw Suns Basketball Academy of Jos emerge as champions, clinching the top prize of ₦500,000. Adamawa Stars of Yola finished second, while Mak-Town Flyers of Makurdi claimed third place, earning ₦200,000 for their efforts.

Several standout players received individual accolades:

•   Most Valuable Player (MVP): Rayyan Salis (Suns Basketball Academy, Jos).
•   Most Improved Player: Modupe Lawrence (Mak-Town Flyers, Makurdi).
•   Best Defensive Player: Thomas Abo (Mak-Town Flyers, Makurdi).
•   Highest Scorer: Rayyan Salis (Suns Basketball Academy).
•   Best 3-Point Shooter: Solomon Iliya (Be Happy Stars, Bauchi).

Teams from across Nigeria took part, including Maktown Flyers (Makurdi), Joe Geez (Jos), Adamawa Stars (Yola), Gamji (Maiduguri), Elite Basketball Club (Takum), Suns Basketball Academy (Jos), Abba Gida Gida (Kano), Katsina United (Katsina), D Block Basketball Club (Kaduna), Yankari Kings (Bauchi), The Cubs Basketball Club (Bauchi), and Be Happy Stars (Bauchi).

Speaking on his recognition, Patrick Pascal expressed gratitude to the tournament sponsor, Danjuma Maijama’a Wunti, for his commitment to youth empowerment and development through sports. He praised the players for their remarkable display of skill and teamwork throughout the competition, highlighting the event’s importance in fostering talent and unity.

The Be Happy Basketball Tournament continues to grow in stature as a major platform for discovering and nurturing basketball talent across Nigeria.

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