12 May 2013

Botswana Basketball League champions, Police V women’s team showed intention of retaining their crown when they defeated rivals, BDF V, 85-58 on Saturday.  

A clash between these two teams is usually full of action and strongly contested. But, this time around BDF, who were missing forward Resego Moepeng, succumbed easily at the SSKB courts.

The army team, who had the league title snatched from them last season, fell behind 15-8 in the first quarter.

Police’s pint-sized point guard, Mallaya Mokute was brilliant with her surging attacks. She scored a fantastic three-pointer as herself and forward, Andie Banyaditse led the onslaught from the second quarter onwards.

The duo together with Kemmonye Madikwe and Kelebogile Thwabi found easy openings, which caused BDF to give away a lot of free throws.

BDF’s misery was increased when their point-guard, Orapeleng Leagajang sustained an injury in the second quarter. Though she struggled on and scored a number of points throughout the match, it was evident her performance was hampered.

Police widen the gap to 42-25 at halftime. They ultimately sailed to an easy victory after the rivals who produced one of their sloppiest performances in a number of years.

“We were more prepared and worked harder than them. My team played the match with a lot of speed as a result of the high intensity training we have been doing,” said Police coach, James Kalebwe.

Kalebwe said the champions had increased the level of their training because they were preparing for international club competitions.

“I will not say competition would be easy this year. BDF is a better team than what they showed today and they would give us tough competition,” said Kalebwe, a player himself for the Police male team.

Police suffered defeat to BDF only on their way to winning the league last year. The two teams will meet three more times since women teams play each other four times in a season.

Meanwhile, Troopers defeated Spartans 65-53 in a top of the table clash in men’s league. ENDS