NEW: Title race heats up in basketball

Online Reporter

THE title race will not be the only thing at stake when the Harare Basketball Association (HBA) league enters the home stretch, especially as rumors of a Super Six league simply refuse to die.

The proposal to trim the Men’s A-League to just six teams was one of the contentious issues at February’s Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) congress.

It is largely expected to be implemented at the start of the 2022/2023 season.

It certainly looks to have made things interesting, especially as the league heads into its final five games.

For now, the three main issues going into Saturday’s action will be the title race, the dog fight for the BUZ National League and the relegation battle.

Back-to-back losses have seen log leaders, Foxes, stumble and loosen their grip at the apex of the table.

But, the Foxes entertain University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Stars at Richwood on Sunday, still topping the log standings with 37 points from 20 matches.

Completing the title race is the trio of Leopards Academy (35 points), UZ Stars (34) and JBC (34).

UZ Stars have played a game less and could hand the log leaders a fatal blow when the two teams meet in Sunday’s main game at Richwood.

That match starts at 7pm.

As if that is not enough, the other two title contenders, Leopards Academy and JBC, are set to also clash on Sunday at Richwood.

That match will be the penultimate game on a loaded Sunday schedule at Richwood, one that also includes clashes between Hustlers and Cheetahs, as well as JBC Women and Vixens.

The Vixens and JBC sides find themselves on opposite ends of the women’s log standing, with the former topping the table with 25 points from 13 points.

Second-placed UZ Sparks (24) will be in action on Saturday, and meet a resurgent Harare City Hornets.

Back to the men’s A-League, the trio of Assassins (29), Raiderz (28) and Arcadia Bucs are tussling to fill up the remaining two National League slots.

Assassins meet Hustlers at Richwood on Saturday, while Raiderz will have to wait until Wednesday next week for the game against Harare City Hornets.

The home stretch officially kicked off Friday night with bottom-placed Hustlers playing Cameo at Richwood.

SELECTED FIXTURES

Saturday

Richwood

GreenStars v Bunnies (W)

Hustlers v Assassins (M)

Cheetahs v Cameo (M)

Arcadia Bucs v Harare City Hornets (W)

Harare City Hornets v Arcadia Bucs (M)

Sunday

Hustlers v Cheetahs (M)