Nigeria Sports Arena

Rivers Hoopers shook off a slow start to demolish new comers Ondo Raiders 85-28 in the ongoing NBBF Premier League tagged “President Cup” at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Kwara Stadium, Ilorin on Monday. Ikechuku Benjamin led the way with 16 points, one rebound, one assist and one steal including three pointers and 3/4 from the free throw line in 18 minutes. Solomon Ajegbeyi added 14 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Ajegbeyi also shot a rare three pointer late in the game as he was cheered by his teammates on the bench. Other Hoopers' players on double digit: Ronald Alalibo had 12 points, five rebounds, two steals and one assist. He also shot 4/8 from the deep while Abdul Yahaya added 10 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal. Rivers Hoopers were scoreless in the first three minutes of the game. They however found their rhythm midway through the second quarter as they took a 22-point lead at half time but not without a hu...

Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu admitted his wards face a stern test as the third round of the 2017 Kwese Premier Basketball League gets underway on Thursday. Hoopers will face Nigeria Customs in Lagos in their opening 3rd round game on Thursday. Last season’s finalist inflicted defeat on the KingsMen in the league opener in Lagos (60-49) but the Port Harcourt club got their pound of flesh when the two sides met in Port Harcourt on May 18. Speaking in a tone not unexpected of him, Odaudu affirmed yet again that Customs will not be underestimated.              “It’s going to be a real test for us because we are playing away from home and like you know, Customs are not an easy team even though we blew them out here (Port Harcourt) 78-50. "They are one of the two teams that have beaten us this season and so we have no reason whatsoever to underestimate them,” Odaudu warned. Atl...

  Rivers Hoopers head coach, Ogoh Odaudu is happy to have bounced back from his first loss and win against Police Baton on Saturday and hopes his team follows it up with a home win on Thursday.   Hoopers Basketball Club of Port Harcourt will play hosts to Ilorin-based side Kwara Falcons in their third match of this season's Kwese Premier Basketball League tomorrow.   The KingsMen successfully rebounded from an opening day defeat against Nigeria Customs in Lagos to beat Police Baton on Saturday but they are fully aware The Falcons pose a different type of threat altogether. “Whether we lose the first game or not it’s a 28 game league. You lose one you still have 27 more games to recover which we have just done. We have lost one and we have just taken one back away we will just go back and put in some more hard work and hopefully put another one away when Kwara come visiting,” said Odaudu.   Still speaking ahead of the clash against the Ilorin based side, the former Ni...

    Rivers Hoopers were outrebounded and outshot from three point range losing to Nigeria Customs 60-49 at the Indoor Sports Hall, National Stadium Lagos on Thursday.   Despite falling to Customs, former Customs power forward, Solomon Ajegbeyi scored 10 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists delivering consecutive baskets in the first but not enough to salvage the loss to Customs.   Ikechukwu Benjamin’s jumper before the buzzer ended the first quarter (15-19). The Port Harcourt side produced a brilliant first half performance looking ready to go for the kill in the second half but was brilliantly guarded by the Customs defense in the third quarter.   Customs guard, Okiki Afuwapa Michael who was their best player finished with a game high 25 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.   Okiki’s shooting pushed Customs to the lead and in over 4 minutes of play, Hoopers couldn’t score leaving the host to  their biggest score run(9-0)  in 6:22. The two time champions...

  Rivers Hoopers basketball club of Port Harcourt has intensified their preparations for the upcoming 2016/2017 Nigeria Basketball League season by making key additions to their playing staff.   The former champions who made a quick return to top flight last season after missing out of the 2014/2015 season will head into the new season after finishing third on their return last term.   The Port Harcourt based Hoopers retained 10 players out of the 14 that featured for them last season and added 5 new players to the fold, with Lagos Warriors guard, Anyebe Ujoh prominent among them.   Ujoh makes a return to the team he won the League double with in the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 season. He however left for Kano Pillars the following year winning two straight titles in 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 season. Ujoh then moved to Abuja to win his 5 th  League title with Mark Mentors in the 2014/2015 season.    Meanwhile, training sessions have commenced for the 2016/20...