Braves of CEPS began the defense of their Greater Accra League title with a comfortable 53-32 win over Magic on Wednesday.
Though it wasn’t a vintage win from the defending champions, they did what was most important in the game – and that was to pick maximum points.
Parading old faces including Hashim Braimah, Ismaila Salisu, Romeo Enam, Baniba Dodzie, Reginald Lartey, Danie Nii Aryee, Enoch Borsah and Nii Kwale Quartey, they never looked back as they led from the first quarter through to the last one.
Magic, coached by ambitious Francis Wilson, gave a good account of themselves with a well-rehearsed strategy that helped in the low-scoring rate from their opponent.
Let’s face it. CEPS have been impregnable for years and needed someone to stop them. But clearly Magic didn’t have the magic wand to turn cause and upset.
It turned out to be business as usual for Braves as Magic’s Sarfo Boadi, Daniel Danso, Edwin Heizel, Samuel Sarfo, Eric Quaye, Shadrack Niikoi Kobby, Charles Annan, Samson Anum, Benjamin Sowah and Theophlius Akulley had no answers.
The game however was close heading into the third quarter, but with Dodzie and Hashim playing, CEPS took control. Dodzie hit two free throws and a 3-pointer, while Ismaila Salifu and Daniel Aryee had a steal each.
Late in the third quarter, Magic started wrestling control, but it was beginning to emerge as too little, too late.
They started missing early and never really got going and succumbed to the defeat at the Lebanon court in Accra.
CEPS will be cautious going into their next game knowing such lackluster attitude could haunt them against a resolute side.
this was an incredible action from CEPS.