JKL need to get their mojo back

National Basketball League

Results

Women: UCU 63 Javon 51

Men: Oilers 75 Sharing 44

Tomorrow

Women: JKL v Stormers

Men: UCU v Power

The JKL Dolphins have, as many expected, been an instant hit in the women's National Basketball League (WNBL).

Still, as the playoffs draw closer, JKL increasingly look a level below WNBL superpowers UCU Lady Canons and KCCA Leopards, who are once again the frontrunners for the championship.

JKL lost their sixth game of the regular season Sunday to A1 Challenge, a strong suggestion they will not be able to prevent another Finals meeting between UCU and KCCA.

Not this year at least.

JKL will certainly return to winning ways when they take on the winless Magic Stormers tomorrow at the YMCA but of greater concern to Boniface Okello and his side should be how to stop a gradual descent that culminated in an insipid performance against A1.

Credit A1 for making the most of JKL's deficiencies but there was a time this season when the Dolphins played with an energy that made them probable title contenders. Losing 74-62 to an A1 team that is not known for explosiveness says a lot but the current state of JKL.

The recent departure of powerhouse Purity Odhiambo left a gap in the JKL frontcourt that has expanded to include other issues like a lack of team chemistry.

JKL thumped the Stormers 114-58 in June, back when every note was sounding just right. With the playoffs at hand, JKL must find a way to get back in their groove.   

Meanwhile, James Okello grabbed a game-high 15 points to go with seven rebounds while Ben Komakech added 12 as the City Oilers snapped a two-game losing streak with a comfortable 75-44 victory over the Sharing Youth Wednesday night at the YMCA.

Sharing were led by Allan Ndikuriyo with a team-high 12 points while Stephen Otoa contributed 10 points and 11 rebounds. Tony Okello scored 10 for Raymond Muhumuza's men, who have dropped three in a row and are limping to the end of the regular season.

In the women's NBL, Sarah Ageno had a team-high 11 points and Francis Nabulobi added 10 to lead the UCU Lady Canons to a 63-51 victory over the Javon Ladies. UCU were vanquished by the KCCA Leopards on their last outing but bounced back as expected with a victory in which they never trailed.

Javon had three scorers in double figures, with Ruth Atuhairwe, Sandra Asiimwe and Sylvia Nakazibwe grabbing 15, 12 and 11 points respectively.