Kenya: Dockers of Kenya Ports Authority weathered the storm and the lightening of defending Kenya Basketball Federation Champions Nairobi City Thunders. It lost with very minimum difference of 80-73 at extra time in a game played last night under the floodlights of Nyayo Stadium Basketball Court.
The basketball team of Nairobi City Thunders arrived with promises of demolition but the KPA Dockers had built their defences well. They came prepared and not just with tactics but also with a Faraday Cage of discipline and grit, grounding every bolt that Thunders hurled at them.
At Nyayo, the win by Thunders was not as routinely promised on their official Facebook page. Talk of lightning demolition of the dockyard were met with stiff resistance. In the first quarter, a waltzing run of baskets by the Dockers sent ripples of shock at the normally noisy enclave of Nyayo. Kenya Ports Authority’s Lennox Wanje and Salim Kisulu ran slicing through Thunder’s defence.
By the time the dust settled on the first quarter, the home crowd watched in stunned silence, and this was not the script as the Dockers sailed to 25-16 lead. Moreover, the thunders re-grouped in the second quarter tightening their defences and grinding their way back, Garang Diing – the Sudanese import standing at 6’8 and local key Ken Wachira led a battle of wits.
Slow, scrappy and toe-to-toe tactic hallmarked a low scoring quarter that returned 1108 in favour of the city boys but still the Dockers had the upper hand consisting 33-27.
Head Coach of KPA – Cliff Owuor and his assistant KPA legend – Sammy Kiki sniffed the danger. A series of tactical tweaks seemed to work in their favour employing speedy and nimble guards. Bramwell Muchina and Gerry Wekesa of KPA was the right call for this. The average temperature at Nyayo was ever rising and defying the chilling Nairobi night.
Furthermore, KPA released the hand-breaks, quick one-twos that worked against Thunders’ ego. The air grew thick with tension and murmurs, as KPA brutally exposed the Thunders’ underbelly.
Later, the Jittery Nairobi crowd also recorded moments of squeaky-bums and in desperation they squeezed every inch of noise remaining in their vocal chords and it worked. The kids present there were ear-plugged for protection as the quarter ended in 18-18 further cementing KPA’s lead at 51-45.
On to the fourth and supposedly at the last quarter, Thunder’s United States coach Bradley Ibs went for power and pace. Fatigue was also sensed on the Dockers side. He unleashed all his big men and shooters for a do or die last quarter. It worked and the game was salvaged. Thunders 63 KPA 63 read the final scoreboard.
After, four quarters of war the basketball match thickened the air with disbelief. The defending champions used ripping through opponents like a storm through dry land, found themselves blistered and bruised on a floor lined with barnacles.
The Dockers had turned Nyayo into their own seaport, forcing Thunders to navigate treacherous waters where every step stung. And now on to the dreaded extra time, Thunders’ deflated the gathered wind on KPA’s sails forcing the Dockers into the doldrums.
Once the fluid was full-ahead of attacks grew laboured and rhythm disrupted as the Champions mounted a comeback. Considering it neutral, the final quarter at extra time of 17-10 and final score of 80-73 barely captured the whole story.
This was no routine win, instead it was a siege, a night where the champions teetered on the edge before finding their escape. For Thunders, survival came at a cost. The Dockers had dented their pride, exposed their underbelly and sent a warning that said: Mombasa awaits, where the sea is rougher, the air heavier and the tide rarely favours the unprepared.