Africa-Press – Botswana. Dolphins has ended Police V fairytale start of the 2025 Botswana Basketball League with a 55-52 hard-fought victory on Saturday at Ba Isago courts.
In a stunning fashion, Police V had their seven game winning streak snapped by youthful Dolphins side in what was deemed the top of the table clash between log leaders Dolphins and second placed Police V.
The youthful Dolphins raced out of the blocks in the first quarter leading the much experience Police 13-11 by the end of the quarter.
During a nail biting encounter played under chilling temperatures, Dolphins captain Kesaobaka Ndawanyana led his side to their eighth victory of the season dropping a game high 17 points and 6 rebounds and shooting 50 per cent from the free throw with Nathan Warikandwa and Lame Diboko also contributing with 9 and 8 baskets respectively.
Police V stayed close through the second quarter inspired by Karabo Rabothaako’s offensive exploits, but Dolphins earlier buckets in the first half came in handy as they held on to go to the halftime interval with a lead.
Tanaka Ndayara staged a spirited fight back for Police in the third quarter with three turnover possession play and a series of lay-up baskets to make it a point game at the end of the third quarter with the score board reading 43-42 in favour of Dolphins heading to the final quarter.
Ndayara put up a man-of-the-match performance dropping 20 points to guide Police to a sterling performance in the third quarter that was only one basket shy to tie the game at the end of the third quarter.
Things nonetheless went haywire for Police in the final fourth quarter with Dolphins reflecting well on the offensive side of the court, maintaining the lead till the final buzzer but Police were, however, their own worst enemy, hitting just 10 points from the field in the final quarter.
With national team player Botsile Ramabu still struggling to regain form, Dolphins options of going direct to the hoop to wrap up the game in early session of forth quarter were limited and had to really on the exceptional three point shooting skills of Tloto Tshekega and Nathan Warikandwa who put up a combined 12 points from the three point arch.
In his post match interview, Dolphins captain and talisman, Ndawanyana credited his team for a spirited performance adding a win against their rivals was always worth the celebrations.
“Our pick and roll was great on the day and we played well on transition particularly in the first two quarters hence this victory is crucial for the team to bolster their playoff position and victory against Police could not have come at a better time as it is always difficult to play against season campaigners like Police who are a great competitors,” he said.
He said it was always a good motivation to record a win against top of the league competitors with a 100 per cent win rate per centage noting that it was a confidence boost that might be carried on in the league campaign.
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