malvernmugadzikwa
Deputy Sports Editor
LOCAL basketball kings JBC are on the brink of making history as they remain on course to become the first Zimbabwean team to qualify for the prestigious Basketball Africa League (BAL).
By virtue of qualifying for the Elite 16 Division East — which is scheduled for November 14-19 in Johannesburg, South Africa — JBC have scaled heights never reached by any local club.
However, the last round of the qualifying stage is a different ball game, as Mozambique’s Ferroviario da Beira, City Oilers (Uganda) and COSPN (Madagascar) lie in wait for coach Adison Chiware and his side.
“Stay locked in and trust your strengths,” said Chiware.
“It worked out well for us during our trip to Botswana for the BAL qualifiers, and that is the mentality we hope to carry on to the next round of matches.
“We are under no illusions of grandeur, as the Elite 16 Division is a different ball game altogether.
“By its very definition, every team that qualified for the round of games is elite and we will do our best to win and qualify.”
BAL is Africa’s premier men’s basketball division.
It is also a collaborative effort between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
Formed in 2019, it consists of 12 of the continent’s best teams.
Qualification comes through winning respective domestic competitions.
Six teams qualify directly, while six others have to play in the Road to BAL (qualifiers).
JBC made it through the first round by topping their group — which included Zambia’s Munali Suns, Dolphins (Botswana), Bravehearts (Malawi) and UNAM Wolves (Namibia).
New signing Tyjhai Byers was instrumental in JBC’s run at the tournament, with the American a key part of the team’s defensive effort.
“If I am to single someone out, then I would have to say that TJ (Byers) was a key component of our defence,” said Chiware.
“His numbers speak for themselves.
“All the foreign-based players did very well, as they adjusted to our systems rather well. I think, by the second game, it was as if we had played together for years.
“In fact, the whole team did very well, with contributions coming from everyone, with TJ, Dyvonne Pfachi, Tashinga Chiimba, Noah Penduka and Innocent Zhomwa all chipping in with meaningful contributions.”
Of course, Byers finished as the team’s best performer, as the American centre had a game efficiency of 13.7 points, which included 10 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
Another top performer was Chiimba, who finished with a game efficiency of 14.7, which included five rebounds and four assists per game.
Like most teams, JBC are already in the market, looking for talent to strengthen their side, while Chiware is also keeping an eye on his opponents in South Africa.
“It is a process,” said Chiware on his scouting report.
“We have been following our opponents carefully, keeping tabs on their roasters and watching their videos.
“We don’t want to be reactionary, however, and I have been holding talks with my technical team as a means to find ways to improve the roaster and our game.”
Online Reporter