ORU basketball signs Ghana native

Ghana native Chris Angsomwine has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Oral Roberts next season, coach Scott Sutton announced Wednesday.A 6-9, 215-pound forward at Kilgore (Texas) College, Angsomwine is ORU’s first 2010 signee. He will have two years of eligibility when he enrolls next fall.“Chris fills a significant need for us for the future,” Sutton said in a statement. “With (current senior) Kevin Ford graduating at the end of the year, we wanted to try and get the best athletic big man we could find and Chris certainly fits the bill.”Angsomwine is in his first year with the Rangers after spending last season at Harcum College in suburban Philadelphia. Kilgore is 2-0 with Angsomwine averaging 6.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.“He’s a shot blocker who can rebound,” Sutton said. “Chris is not a great scorer yet, but his offensive game is improving. He’ll get better this year while playing at a top quality program and be ready to contribute next year.”As a freshman at Harcum, Angsomwine averaged 1.2 points and 1.9 rebounds in 15 games.

6′ 8″ Atsu Atakpa signs with Paul Quinn

6′ 8″ Atsu Atakpa has decided to leave Casper College and play for Coach Marco Borne at Paul Quinn. Atakpa is the second Runhouse-Hoops player to transfer from Casper College joining Daniel Armah out.Coach Borne is counting on “Big Jake” to bring some inside scoring punch to his revamped team. Paul Quinn plays in the very tough Red River Conference of NAIA Div 1

iStand Above donates to Cape Coast Hoops

The “iStand Above” campaign is a nonprofit organization that believes in providing opportunities and knowledge to determined young individuals striving to climb the ladder of success.

As part of its objectives a donation was made to the Hoops Basketball CLub after its match against Ghana Fire Service which Hoops won 90-57 retaining its status at the top of the league table.

Tesa Asloso and Halim Musah did the donation on behalf of their organization. Items donated were Interactive Drills Workout Book and Videos CD's which will go a long way in the developments of the club players and those in the extramural basketball program including children in the Hoops Care International program as well.

We hope and pray other esteem entities out there can emit such kind gesture in helping to improve the game we so love here in Ghana.

Thanks iStand Above and surely you stand above.

Cape Coast Hoops in Weekend Actions

Yes, this past Saturday saw the U18 boys and girls and the senior team all three in action at the Lebanon House, Tudu Accra. In the first game, Jr Hoops lost to Tudu Magic 38-40 after blowing a 15pts lead. The second game saw the power of the Hoops Queens as they defeated the female side of Tudu Magic 31-24. The game which saw the Queens playing outside Cape Coast for the first time attracted many admirers that females where also playing well on this side of the country. The main event was the league match between Cape Coast Hoops and Ghana Fire Service. Hoops outclass their opponents in one of their near perfect game since the league started. Final results saw hoops winning an awesome 90-57. The victory jump the team to five victories and one loss(5-1) and still sitting at the top of the league table. Videos to these games coming soon.

Armah debuts with double-double

Daniel Armah, 6′ 6″ G/F, played his first game for Casper College. In 19 minutes off the bench he recorded 11 points and 10 rebounds. Armah was the first recruit of the Runhouse-Hoops Project. The staff of Runhouse and the coaches at Cape Coast Hoops have full confidence in Armah’s success.

Dan keep up the good work and keep those doubles coming. Your countrymen back in Ghana are very proud of you.

Hoops defeat Wizards in Cabalan Tournament

Cape Coast Hoops yesterday defeated Tudu Wizards 59-56 in the ongoing Cabalan Thome Memorial Basketball Tournament at Lebanon House, Accra. Hoops who earlier lost to CEPS in their first game and than to Police in a second game had to prove to the skeptics that they are a team still in contention for the league title. The game was highlighted by three spectacular dunks. An alley-oop dunk by Chris and a fast break reverse dunk by SB. Hoops seems to be winning a lot of support from fans in Accra as many came to the bench of the team to congratulate the boys on their victory. The victory also bring confidence in some of the new players like Ricki Ansong of AUGUSCO who just signup with the team. He was also a great help in the victory. Hoops is expected to play their last game with Yotive on Saturday and will need a big win in order to qualify for the last four. Presently the team is looking forward to the resumption of the league on Aug 15 and a league match against the same Wizards on the 16th. The team is expected to start intensive training at the sports grounds of Prisons Barracks in Cantonment, Accra. In the same group, CEPA won against Police, giving them a third victory in a row in the Cabalan Tournament. For a complete result of the tournament, click here.
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Hoops gets first win in Accra league

Cape Coast HOOPS yesterday won their game two match against Premier Panthers 45-43. The game was played at the Prisons Court, Cantoment, Accra. From the jump-ball the match was clear that it was going to be a cracker as both sides went for the kill. Premier Panthers, who came from a previous game which they won against Reformers were looking to make it two victories in a row while Hoops who earlier lost to Reformers were looking for their first win since making their debut in this year League. Hoops were able to pull a convincing victory without the help of Ifeanyi Mbah and Saheed Oladipo, both who are currently not in the country. Those leading the team to victory included MVP of the game Saykan Bestman(6'4), John Cooper(6'5), Christopher Angsomwine(6'10), Michael Dadson(6'11) and Bernard Davies(5'10). Others included Marco Namara(6'1, debut), Edvenos Russell(6'0, debut), Kay Nyenuh(5'11, debut), George Cooper(5'10) and new sensation Anas Ben Anas(6'6) who made his debut for the team as well. With this win, the boys are in high anticipation for their next games. In related development, the developmental team of Hoops known as Hoopers were also in action this weekend in Cape Coast as part of the Western Basketball Association league. They lost to Bikat of Secondi 38 to 53 but won their second match of the day against Pelican of Takoradi 45 to 42. Hoopers has won two and lost two in the WBA league. This show that both Hoops and Hoopers are still in contention in both leagues. Big up to the boys, especially Hoopers who are showing that they are the next best players to take Hoops futher come next year in apex league in Accra. Photos and videos of these matches will be update soon.

Cape Coast HOOPS takes the day

Last week-end, Cape Coast HOOPS were once again on top; this time in a one day basketball tournament which was organize by the Western basketball Association and the newly establish Central Basketball. This time the boys were home and knew that they would have to defend their ground by winning unlike what happened in the Western version. WBA represented with their male and female teams. Other teams were All-Stars, a collection of players from various universities and Accra, HOOPERS, the new D-Team of HOOPS. From the showcase of players at the venue all knew they were in for an explosive day of basketball Cape Coast as not seen before. HOOPS defeated both the WBA and All-Stars teams to win the day.
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A break down of the results:

Game 1 (Men)
HOOPS 48
All-Stars 44

Game 2 (Women)
Angels 12
Cape Girls 10

Game 3 (Men)
HOOPERS 40
WBA 43

Game 4 (Women)
Angels 23
Aggrey Girls 4

Game 5 (Men 3rd Place)
HOOPERS 26
ALL-Stars 33

Game 6 (Men Final)
HOOPS 33
WBA 22





HOOPS Line Up

Mbah Ifeanyi, 6'9
Taiwo Ajibola, 6'6
Saheed Oladipo, 6'7
Desmond Amadi, 6'9
Fred Yeboah, 6'5 (visting)
Bernard Davies, 5'11
Umoro Zakari, 6'8
Akim Zakari, 6'5 (debut)
Daniel Boateng, 5'11(debut)
Martin Holdbrooke, 6'2 (debut)


HOOPERS Line up

Atsu Atakpa, 6'8
Emi Bassaw, 6'9
Hitla Koomson, 6'3
Saykan bestman, 6'3
Andrew Arthur, 6'0
Emmanuel Wilson, 6'0
Andrew Tetteh, 6'3 (debut)
Teddy 6'5 (debut)
Richard Bensah, 5'10 (visiting)

HOOPERS is the developmental team of HOOPS. It will be comprising of a mixture of HOOPS most experience players and young scouted talents preparing them to be able to play with the big boys.

RUNHOUSE MAKES MORE DONATIONS TO CAPE COAST HOOPS

Once again Mr. Jack Whitehead of the RUNHOUSE Recruiting Service located in Philadelphia, USA has shown he is living up to his promise of developing the sport in Ghana, by making a second donation to the team within a month period on behalf of RUNHOUSE. They first donated two indoor/outdoor basketballs which came at the time the team really needed a original regulatory ball size. Since that donation players ball handling skills has increase as they are training with international standardize balls. The present gifts came at the right time as well. Items included are four Official NBA Basketball nets, two Fundamental basketball training dvds by Magic Johnson, Nike sweat bands and most important of all a Panasonic PV-DV400D digital palmcorder which will help in the recording of team games. If you could remember it was through the RUNHOUSE/HOOPS Project Daniel Armah was eligible to travel to the USA to feature for a college on full scholarship. Presently more players are short listed for receiving similar opportunities. What they have to do is show what they have. Thanks RUNHOUSE and keep running things.

Launching of Western Basketball Association

This past Saturday saw a big development in the basketball section of Ghana. The Western Region was able to inaugurate their basketball association in the capital of the region, Takoradi. This shows that Ghanaians who love the sport are trying the best to remove it from what is term as other sports and have it compete with the nation most love sport soccer. Six teams where present to grace the occasion of the first tournament being organize by the WBA. The teams included from the Western Region, Dream Team and WBA; from the Central Region, HOOPS and DONS; from the Greater Accra Region, After 7 and last but not the least, from the Ashanti Region, Slizzers. The preliminary games where played at the military baracks in the morning. The games began at 8AM and the following teams where drawn against each other from ballot. Dream Team vs WBA, HOOPS vs DONS and Slizzers vs After 7. Winners emerging from the first round of matches were Dream Team, DONS and After 7. These three qualified for the second stage which was the semifinal. Slizzers qualifued as the fourth team as they emerged best loosers having score one point above that of HOOPS.

DONS and Slizzers won their matches and advanced to the Final which was played at the GSTS grounds in the afternoon. At the GSTS grounds the first match was played between two female sides which was very exciting. later the third place was played between After 7 and Dream Team which the Dream team won. Than came the final, DONS vs Slizzers. This match proved to be a earth shaking one as both sides went all out from the begining of the blast of the whistle. The experience side of the Slizzers took the day against the other side of one of Ghana most celebrated basketball player known as MeMe.

The main event of the day was the dinner. This was held at the newly built Sekondi Stadium which was one of the stadia that was used during the 2008 MTN African Cup of Nations. Speakers at the event praised all involved and also give some words of advice for the youth, as well as the elderly still in the game. Than came the eating time which was great as the food was at its best and the boys ate heartfully. This shows that basketball in Ghana is moving forward and nobody will stop it. We encourage all other regions to copy the western Region to beef up the
game in Ghana