In camp with Ernie Noble: ‘We worked hard as a team’

Clashes between Hellenics, Memphis, Highlanders and Peking Stars used to attract close to a thousand fans at Bulawayo Club of the Disabled in North End.
Fridays were better spent at BCD and the clubs and provincial select teams did not embarrass on the national scene with Peking Stars (men) winning the coveted Kodak Cup from 1991-1993, according to former coach Ernie Noble.

He is a true legend who has given his best to top-flight basketball since 1978.
Noble says unity of purpose was the driving force that enabled the team to record successes in local basketball. Good support from businessman, the late James Eeson and also from Sydney Chicksen now based in the US.

“We worked hard as a team especially during training and we were also motivated by good sponsorship,” said Noble.
Peking Stars remain one of the best basketball clubs to emerge in Zimbabwe and they dominated Bulawayo basketball for almost a decade before the coming on board of Cop Giants formed largely by a group of boys who were students at Northlea High School in the late 1980s.

Chronicle Sport caught up with the veteran player and coach at his Montrose home on Thursday evening and he happily took us through the Stars dressing room.
In the picture above taken at BCD upon their return from the Kodak national finals in 1992 where they beat Tee Cavaliers 88-54, (Stars had beaten 76ers 71-68 in the semi-finals) we give you his bite on his colleagues starting from left to right:

John Buys — He was a shooting guard who had a powerful three-point shot. He was a very positive player.
Justin Mpofu — He was an aggressive all-rounder, good in defence as well as on the offensive. He was a strong rebounder on either backboards and a great motivator.
Herbert Benson — Among the youngest in the squad. Specialised in fast breaks and also came in handy with good three-point shooting.

Ernie Noble — At the club’s best moments he was player/coach who led by example. Played as a point guard, three-point specialist, excellent passer of the ball and read the tempo of the game well.
Keith Milner — His game never reached its full potential. He had been tipped as one for the future and a possible US scholarship. Quite confident player, good and consistent three-point shooter and good defender.

Tony ‘Bolo’ Benson — Good post player, quite reliable on the rebounds. One of his assets was his strong turn around jump shot.
Philani Ncube — He was quite young then with some promise. He was strong on the boards and a good rebounder.

Brian Staal — Fast breaks scorer and initiator of attacks. He was a good attacker.
Archieford Murombedzi — Played centre, had a good hook shot, very aggressive under the boards.
Darbyton Williams — Good defender and point guard. He was a good three-point shooter.