Team Lagos have won the maiden edition of the South-West Basketball Showdown, after beating Team Oyo 65-63.
In the final match of the competition held at the Indoor Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan, the hosts could not help losing in spite of a strong finish.
Oyo dominated early to win the opening quarter 20-18, but Lagos pulled ahead of the hosts in the second quarter after winning 22-8 to lead 40-28 by the long break.
But Oyo braced up to the fight as they returned for the third quarter, gaining 11 points without dropping any in the early minutes of the third quarter.
They won it 18-17, even as Lagos fought back, reducing their opponents’ lead to turn the game into a tight contest by then.
They went into the final quarter at 57-46 in favour of Lagos, but the eventual winners knew they only needed to hold the game to run down the clock.
Oyo won the quarter 17-8, but it was just not enough to stop Lagos from beating then the second time in the competition and returning to base with the title.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lagos played six matches in the competition and won all, while Oyo state lost two out of their six matches.
Team Ekiti won the third-place match to finish third in the competition which also had teams from Ogun, Osun and Ondo State participating.
Speaking on the competition, Taiye Sobogun, the head coach of Team Oyo, said it was still a good outing for them in spite of losing.
He said this was because his players really tried their best as it was not easy playing against a team that had been training since January.
“All those players we played against are on Lagos State payroll, and they have been training for quite some time.
“During the break after the second quarter, I had to speak extensively with the players because they lost concentration after leading in the first quarter.
“So, I can only attribute this loss to lack of concentration, and I don’t blame them, though. This team was assembled in three days,” he said.
Dossou Mensah, the coach of Team Lagos, on his part said the game ended as a close contest because they had a lot of turnovers and mistakes.
“We didn’t take care of the major aspects of our game when the match started, and for two to three minutes in the first quarter we conceded several points.
“I had to secure a break to restrategise, and I must say Oyo state gave us a run for our money.
“Also, I must say it was a very good outing for us as we played six games and won all.
“But we still have a lot to work on as a team, and we are hoping to get better over time,” he said.
Mensah however warned that, with this being the fifth competition they have won this year, any team meeting them should know they are not easy nuts to crack.
“My team is fully ready for the 2024 National Sports Festival (NSF) qualifiers and the League, and we will keep working to improve on our skills and style of play,” he said.
NAN reports that the competition was sponsored by Olumide Oyedeji, the former national captain, with the provision of feeding, kitting and accommodation for all participants.(NAN)
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