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Derby Trailblazers UK win friendly against NCCBA

A Derby trailblazer player passing a ball to his team mate during a friendly match between Derby Trailblazers and Nakuru County Community Basketball Association's (NCCBA) at the Menengai High School basketball court.

Photo credit: Bret Sanya/Mtaa Wangu

By  BRET SANYA

Correspondent

Mtaa Wangu

After a nerve-wracking 60 minutes of basketball, Derby Trailblazers of the United Kingdom (UK) won the game with 94 points to Nakuru County Community Basketball Association's (NCCBA) 69.

For those who were at the Menengai High School basketball court on Thursday, it will go down as a game to remember. 

With the talent on display from the likes of Aleer Francis, Awuol Barrack, Rivaldo, Cheru, Poji and many more from the NCCBA, the game was expected to be one to remember and indeed it was. 

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When the game started, you would have thought it would be a walk in the park for the home team NCCBA, but it was anything but. 

A Derby trailblazer player taking a freethrow after a foul. The team played a friendly match against Nakuru County Community Basketball Association's (NCCBA) at the Menengai High School basketball court.

Photo credit: Bret Sanya/Mtaa Wangu

The first order of business for the Trailblazers seemed to be to silence the home crowd, and this was effectively done with two consecutive three-pointers from Jonas Deiterich, signalling that they had not come to play. 

Once they had earned their respect, it was game on and the match continued at the same pace with both teams executing well. 

By the end of the first half, the reality of losing on their home court was sinking in for our All-Star players as the game ended 41-40 in favour of the Trailblazers. 

At the start of the third quarter, the Nakuru All Stars tried to redeem themselves, but once again Trailblazers captain Jonas Deiterich came through with a three-pointer as if he had been waiting for this moment all his life. 

The fourth quarter sealed the home team's fate and the game ended with a Derby Trailblazers victory. 

Players watching as a ball goes into the net during a friendly match between Derby Trailblazers and Nakuru County Community Basketball Association's (NCCBA) at the Menengai High School basketball court.

Photo credit: Bret Sanya/Mtaa Wangu

According to Ronnie Junior, one of the NCCBA players, the game was very exciting, adding that they learned lessons along the way that will help them as they continue to play this great game. 

Derby Trailblazers coach Paul Bowen said he was impressed with the team and the level of competition shown in the match. 

"We had a great game and the players really gave it their all and we thank them for that," said Paul Bowen.