Tema Community 4 has defended its home court by clinching the 2017 Tema Basketball League earlier this evening.
The home side beat Ashaiman Lions 47-38 to round off a 2-0 win in the Finals Series following a 58-54 win in Game One.
The title is C4’s first since the league commenced in 2016 and caps off a wonderful year for the side as its Under 19 group won the Juvenile competition a few weeks back.
Conversely, the loss is Ashaiman’s second straight loss in the competition after falling to Nungua Coldstore by the same difference in 2016.
Despite a solid start from Lions following a 14-6 first quarter lead, Community 4 held a ten point lead (33-22) with 4:43 played in the third quarter.
Ashaiman Forward/Center Carl Kuzagbe grabbed an offensive rebound and drained a jump shot but Jubril Musah turned the ball over for C4 Guard Brian Kwami to score a fastbreak layup to make the score 35-24.
On the ninth minute mark, Lions Shooting Guard Elvis Pobi-Siaw, who made his return to the team after missing Game One due to a national call up, delivered a big three point shot. He completed a four point play after getting fouled taking the shot to close the gap to 31-36.
C4 Guards Aninagyeo Osei and Kwami combined with Osei kicking the ball out for Kwami to bury a corner three point shot.
Kuzagbe then made one of two free throws to end the quarter with Ashaiman trailing32-40.
C4 Center Baba Ibrahim pump faked a layup in the paint before laying the ball in but Pobi-Siaw sank another three point shot with seven minutes remaining in the final quarter.
Kwami scored another layup for C4 off great ball movement from his side as Lions crumbled into poor shot selection and low energy on the boards to see the home team run out winners.
C4 Guard Aninagyei Osei was named Most Valuable Player of the competition as Tema Heat were rewarded with bronze medals for placing third.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
