Troopers retained the national basketball title over the weekend after garnering an unassailable 30 to top the league standings ahead of Spartans and Police V.
Spartans finished second 28 points, two better than Police V. It was not easy sailing for Troopers as Police V held the top spot for the better part of the season, only to falter during the last games. The policemen finished the first round unbeaten but stumbled towards the end of the campaign as Troopers gained momentum to clinch the title.
Troopers have been in fine form since winning the mid-season basketball tournament losing only once in the second round. The champions have been the dominant force in local basketball. They went into the final two games against Thebe Eagles and BDF V needing at least three points to clinch the title. They got what they wanted in a narrow 69-64 win over Eagles. By the time they lost 76-95 to BDF V, their first defeat in the second round, they had already wrapped up the title. Spartans finished their games the previous weekend and they hoped to clinch the title if Troopers lose to Eagles and BDF V.
The top four teams will now play in the championship this coming weekend. Troopers will play fourth-placed BDF V while second-placed Spartans will lock horns with Police V in a 'best of three' games format.
Story courtesy of Mmegi newspaper