Spintex Knights stun Braves with 67-55 victory in heated Accra Basketball League clash

In a highly anticipated matchup yesterday (May 17, 2023), the Spintex Knights emerged victorious against the Braves of Customs with a final score of 67-55 in a postponed Accra Basketball League Men's Division One tie. 

The clash between the record champions, Braves of Customs, and the undefeated Spintex Knights provided basketball fans with an intense and eventful game at the Prisons Basketball Court.

The Braves of Customs entered the game as the league leaders but had played three more games (eight) than the Spintex Knights, who remained undefeated this season with five games under their belt, currently placing them in third position.

Right from the start, the Knights showcased their strength through solid defense and fast breaks, taking a 21-15 lead by the end of the first quarter. 

The second quarter witnessed the Knights extending their advantage to a commanding 14-point gap, with the score ending at 34-20.

However, the third quarter brought disruptions to the game due to continuous complaints from the Braves' players and technical team regarding the officiating. 

The situation escalated when Braves player Dodzi Baniba was ejected from the game for questioning the Knights' bench about potential bias in the referee's decisions. The Knights' coach Selorm Thomas  promptly alerted the match officials about the incident.

Unfortunately, the drama did not end there, as a fight broke out among some spectators, and insults were exchanged from behind the Knights' bench, causing further disruptions. Once play resumed, the Braves demonstrated resilience and narrowed the deficit with impressive three-point shooting.

Despite the Braves' comeback attempt, the Knights maintained their composure and held their nerve throughout the game. Small Forward James Amotoe emerged as the standout player for the Knights, displaying a full repertoire of steals, blocks, accurate passing, and impressive shooting.

In an interview coach Thomas blames Knights lapse in the third quarter on fatigue after playing their second game in four days.

He said although both teams had issues with officiating, the outcome of the game was not decided by officiating, adding that the game was their toughest of the season so far.

Star forward Amotoe said his side was not affected by the partisan crown and were already looking forward to their next match this season.

The victory for the Spintex Knights marks a significant milestone in their debut season in the league and solidifies their position as a formidable team. 

As the Accra Basketball League Men's Division One continues, fans eagerly await future matchups and anticipate further remarkable performances from both the Braves of Customs and the Spintex Knights.