Game 1 – Friday, November 29 at 9:30pm
Game 2 – Sunday, December 1 at 3:30pm
Game 3 – Wednesday, December 4 at 6:30pm
Game 4 – Friday, December 6 at 9:30pm
Game 5 – Sunday, December 8 at 3:30pm (If necessary)
Game 6 – Wednesday, December 11 at 6:30pm (If necessary)
Game 7 – Friday, December 13 at 9:30pm (If necessary)
Had the road to the Castle Lite Playoffs peak turned into anything other than a post season tune up for UCU Lady Canons and KCCA Leopards heading into the finals, it would have been one of the biggest shocks local basketball has seen.
Because there were no surprises, UCU Lady Canons and KCCA Leopards will for a third successive year compete for the women’s premier division honours. So, now that the kids have been dismissed, the league’s proven stars can prepare for an intriguing Castle Lite Playoffs Finals matchup. Four of the league’s top-5 scorers in Moreen Amoding, Peace Proscovia & Purity Odhiambo (UCU) and Claire Lamunu (KCCA) will lead their teams in a best-of-seven Finals that tip-off tonight at 9:30 pm.
After being swept in the previous finals, KCCA Leopards took full advantage of Purity Odhiambo’s absence to come from 2-0 down to beat UCU Lady Canons to win the 2012 title.
Fun match-ups:
UCU Lady Canons are unbeaten. It has been a season of win after win for them. They swept through the regular season beating their opponents KCCA Leopards in all three games but KCCA demonstrated improvement in each contest.
After losing by 16 points (70-54) in the first contest, KCCA looked better in the second losing by 14 (50-36) and eventually 11 points (46-35) in the third. If that is to go by then may be (and only may be) KCCA can fairly match the Lady Canons.
If you are one of those guys who like to look at how players fair against each other like i do, here are the match ups to look out for;
Moreen Amoding – Rebecca Akullo
While Amoding has a strong drive that is probably closely matched by A1’s winger Hatima Kasimu in the division, Akullo’s mid-range shot off that left hand seems to have no match – smooth as you like. While Amoding can hurt you with that 3-pointer if it is on, Akullo can occasionally drive to basket a draw a few fouls.
Purity Odhiambo – Claire Lamunu
Claire Lamunu has been KCCA’s go to player when looking for points all season and without doubt a regular season MVP contender with her 17/8 season average. The forward likes to get to the hoop and shoot that ball whether it is the best opportunity or not. Odhiambo however has a size advantage, she is an irritant defender, can score and has got power. Can Lamunu beat that?
Angella Namirimu – Flavia Oketcho
We might not be able to see a lot of one-on-ones between these point guards especially on defense vs offense because Boniface Okello may opt to have Brenda Mbone man Oketcho – again and Ronnie Owino’s preference of zone defense. The match up will be on how better the decisions of the point guards will help their bigs light up the score board or how their occasional long range shots will lift their team.
Peace Proscovia – Martha Soigi
Because of her height, Peace Proscavia is one of those players who will easily pour in 25 points plus if you let her have a lot of touches on that ball at the post. Soigi’s primary task should be limiting those touches but will she be up to the task?
Prediction:
KCCA had looked as invincible as UCU until the third game of the semi finals when they needed a lot of energy to put away Magic Stormers. The defending champions will need more than that to get a single win against the Lady Canons anything less than that, a sweep is eminent.
