Hoops Center arrives in Denver

Atsu Atakpa, the 6'9" 240 pounds Power Forward/Center of Cape Coast Hoops left the Kotoka International Airport on August 20th and has safely arrive at Denver. Atsu who is commonly call "Big 'Tsu" by his team mates was very excited about his dream coming to a reality by having the opportunity to play basketball in the USA. The big man, who hails from Cape Coast and has been in the Hoops roster since the formation of the club and has also played a leading roll in most of the matches of the team will be miss not only by his team mates by also by basketball lovers in Ghana for his dominance in the paint. Atsu is a successful player to benefit from the Hoops-Runhouse project. This brings to a total of five players currently in the USA with the sixth, Christopher Angsomwine, leaving at the end of the month. We will keep you posted on all these players when the collegiate league starts later on this year. Currently the club has started to recruit new players to replace those leaving and so far the turnout is well as more big men and talented players are stepping up to fill the positions of these players. Keep visiting for more info.

Hoopers tops WBA League Table with double victories in Takoradi

Aug. 17, 2008: Hoops developmental team Hoopers this weekend proved too strong for their opponents in the Western Region. In the first game, Bikat from Sekondi, who earlier defeated Hoopers in Cape Coast, was defeated 39 - 42. The Sekondi boys started strong in the first quarter by going up 10 - 3. At the second quarter, they were no match for the revamped Hoopers squad and it was all Hoopers from the second half except for some few anxious moments when it seems the Sekondi boys were not there to take a straight beating. In the end, Hoopers took the day and rested for their next match. In the second game of the day, Frank Motors beat EFF-ESS 54 - 39. Hoopers were again in action in game three of the final match of the day against bottom of the table Pelicans. There were some new faces in the Pelicans squad which showed that they did not want to go down 2-0 as they were beaten in Cape Coast in the same league. Though playing at home to Hoopers, they still could not muster enough fire power to stop the onslaught of the D-Team. The first quarter ended 8 - 20. the D-team, riding high from their first victory did not take their foot of the peddle as they went on to massacre the Pelicans with over thirty points margin. The final score, Pelicans 39, Hoopers 75. Photos and videos of the matches coming soon.

Ingmar Snabilie donates balls to Hoops

Ingmar Snabilie, a young Dutch U-20 player who started with Woodpeckers from Houten as a kid, moved to the AA Drink Basketball Academy in Rotterdam for four seasons, and than played with CBV Binnenland in Barendrecht, a junior 1st division side for a season, before current club UBALL Red Devils in Utrecht also junior (U20) D1 and expected to wear the Hoops colors while in Ghana, has join the growing number of foreign fans and well wishers of the Cape Coast Hoops Basketball Club by donating an initial thirty outdoor Spalding basketballs. He is taking time off and will arrive here in Ghana on the 29th of August upon which he is expected to organize along with the Hoops family, basketball clinics targeting kids  U14. The clinics are expected to unearth more talents  of the game. In an email communication recently, he stated that he is very excited about coming to Africa to work with the kids by using basketball as a means of educating the youth which will eventually lift them from poverty. We will keep you posted on Ingmar stay.

 Hoops defeat Wizards in Cabalan Tournament

Aug 7: 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, CEPS 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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EFF-ESS denies Hoopers of full celebration in WBA League

Aug. 2 2008: Hoopers played their counterparts from the Western Region in the WBA League. Hoopers playing as host to both Frank Motors and EFF-ESS from Takoradi. In the first match, Hoopers won against Frank Motors 46 to 41. This was a welcome visit as the team earlier in the WBA League lost to Frank Motors in Takoradi. In the second match, EFF-ESS avenged the lost they suffered at home by winning 49 to 46 against Hoopers. The match was a hard fought one as EFF-ESS came from 23-17 at half time to claim victory. In between the  two games a spectacular female match was played between the girls from Takoradi. Their Cape Coast counterparts were not available for the match as top players of the team where in Accra training for the upcoming West African U-16 Basketball Tournament to be held in Benin Republic from the 15 of this month.  Videos of matches coming soon.
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Hoops lose to CEPS in Cabalan Tournament

Aug. 2, 2008:
Cape Coast Hoops yesterday was defeated by the Braves of CEPS 93 to 61 in the ongoing Cabalan Thome Memorial Basketball Tournament at the Lebanon House, Tudu, Accra. The game was played with a full house as many came to see for the first time Hoops meeting CEPS since the team debut in the Accra metropolitan basketball scene. With both team not underestimating each other,the best from the crop were on display. For Hoops we had, Christopher Angsomwine(6'10-F), Michael Dadson(6'10-F/C), Emmanuel Oware(5'11-SG), Kofi Duodu(6'2-G), Atsu Atakpa(6'8-PF), Anas Ben Anas(6'6-G/F), Saykan Bestman(6'3-G/SF), Kay Nyenuh(6'1-G/SG), Ricki Ahensor(6'2-SG), Anthony Bernard Davies(5'11-SG), John Cooper(6'5-F), Henry Mensah(6'1-G). In the first game of the day Yotive won against Police 66 to 45. For the results of both male and female games play so far click here. Video of match against CEPS coming soon.

CEPS 93 vs. Hoops 61 Jul 31.  4 PM (Was reschedule to next day because of rain.)
Police vs. Hoops Aug 3.  3 PM
Hoops vs. Wizards Aug 6.  3 PM
Hoops vs. Yotive    Aug 9.  4 PM

Three players who were formally in the JV team of Hoops and than promoted to the developmental team, Hoopers were yesterday the 23rd of July 2008 selected among the final 15 players to begin training for an upcoming youth U-16 basketball tournament to be held in Nigeria. The justification was held at the basketball court of Prison Barracks in Cantonment, Accra. There were close to forty youth players who turn out for the screening. Five coaches from various teams in the Div 1 were also present as judges. The boys were divided into a team of five members each and their skills, discipline, athleticism and over all performances judge by the coaches present.  Three of the successful players are from Cape Coast and they are Andrew Tetteh (F-93), Emmanuel Aikins(G-92) and Dominic Clement(G-92). The three will join other successful players this Monday to begin training for the upcoming Event in Nigeria.

18th Edition of Cabalan Thome Memorial Basketball Tournament

Followers of basketball in Ghana knows all about this tournament. It is here all rivalries are out to the test as teams from the Division I league face each other in a 7 - 14 days basketball explosion. This year will not be left out as the 18th Edition kick off Saturday, 26th of July at 3PM at the Lebanon House and the final will be play Aug 13 at 3PM same venue. The draw for the tournament took place on the 22nd of this month with two group of male teams and one group for the females. See below for the Groupings. Group B seems to be the Group of Death. Two teams will qualify from each group for the semifinal stage. Keep coming back for more info on  the fixture, results, photos and videos of the tournament. The league is expected to resume on August 15. All matches which were to be played between Aug. 2 - Aug 14 are set as outstanding matches.

Men (Group A)	Men(Group B)	Women
Fire	CEPS	Reformers
Flames	Wizard	CYO
Panthers	Yotive	CEPS
Warriors	Police	Police
Reformers	Hoops	Flames
		Holy Family

CEPS vs. Hoops Jul 31.  4 PM
Police vs. Hoops Aug 3.  3 PM
Hoops vs. Wizards Aug 6.  3 PM
Hoops vs. Yotive    Aug 9.  4 PM

Harcum College signs Christopher Angsomwine

Hoops remaining twin tower, Christopher Angsomewine will be in the colors of Harcum College this coming season in the USA. The 6'10" power forward/ center is expected to add up to the already power house of the college. Harcum College was chosen from a list of four colleges whom all showed great interest in the player after seeing the video of his last game against Panthers in the Greater Accra Amateur League. In the last two season, Harcum College has signed four players into the Division I NLI most recent being sophomore guard Brandon Smalls who signed National Letter of Intent to play basketball for South Carolina State University next season joining Ryan Bogan (Longwood), Augustine Okosun (Seton Hall) and Jamal Jackson (Morehead St.). Small was an NJCAA Region 19 First-Team selection and helped the Bears to a 26-3 overall record. Chris is the second  successful candidate of the Hoops-Runhouse Project being run by Hoops and Runhouse in scouting young and talented African students and exposing them to coaches in the USA. Daniel Armah was the first successful candidate and is presently sign with Casper College since February of this year. This bring to a total of five players who has been successful so far in getting scholarships to play in the USA through the Hoops Extramural Program. We encourage all ballers out there to make use of this opportunity and show what they have. Send email to contact@capecoasthoops.net or call +233-275986349

Ghanaian born professional to play in France

Alhaji Mohammed, the Ghanaian born 6'4 shooting guard in a latest correspondence with Hoops announced his signing of a new contract to play with Limoges next season. He averaged 19.6ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.6apg, 2spg (21games),   shooting 59.2% from 2pt range and 33.3% from 3pt range in the Dutch 2007-2008 Div1 League while playing for Matrixx Magixx. Mohammed was named to be the guard of the year in Holland in 2007.

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 further come next year in the apex league in Accra.
Click here for Hoops vs. Panthers video
Click here for Hoops vs. Panthers photos
Click here for Hoopers vs. Bikat and Pelicans photos
Hoopers vs Bikat video
Hoopers vs Pelicans video

Professional Ghanian basketballer makes contact with Hoops

Yes, Alhaji Mohammed, a professional basketball player who hails from Ghana has contacted Hoops. Mohammed who currently plays guard position for Matrixx Magixx in the Dutch Professional league acknowledge the good work done by Hoops in exposing Ghana basketball and talents for the world to see. He previously played for the University of Louisville in the USA. He also stated that he is willing to work with Hoops in getting young players outside. He wants the young ones to be dedicated and take serious their training as it will lead them to places. He urge the Hoops team to remain in contact with him and keep him updated on their progress. He is also the brother of Nazr Mohammed (6'10", 250lbs) who plays Center/power forward for Charlotte Bobcats in the NBA You can watch highlights of A.M. in the Dutch league by clicking here

02/07/2008 More update on Ibrahim Salih

The Dreamers were back in tournament action this weekend at the UCSB Team Camp. This is the largest team camp in California and is exceptionally well ran and organized. Specical thanks to Bob Williams and Matt Stock at UCSB. The 1 Dreamers went 2-4 during the weekend, losing the 4 games by a combined 12 points. Ibrahim Salih (Ghana) and Francisco Luano were the team MVP's for the weekend with their overall play.. Jon Velez (Puerto Rico) played several good games and Georges Massoda (Cameroon) is emerging as one of the top young big men on the West Coast.

IB Working Out in the gym

Last games results

June 13
Yotive vs Warriors: Yotive did not show giving Warriors the maximum points
June 14
Warriors vs Braves of CEPS : game postponed due to rain
June 18
Flames vs Fire : Flames abandoned the game during the third quarter as they were down by 4 points claiming bad officiating.
June 21
Police vs Panthers : the Police team won 42-37

Courtesy: Africa basket

UPDATE ON IBRAHIM SALIH

As promised here is a little update on IB. During his first week in America he has been very impressive with his work ethic both on and off the court. According to his coach, Ibrahim Salih (Ghana) has incredible work ethic and strength around the basket. They have played their first match which they lost to to a very good San Luis Obispo team by a 48-43 score.

Other Ghana League results

On June 7, the team 'Fire' and the team 'Panthers' tied the score 6

Ghanaian league has started

Ghanaiana Male First Division 2008 started yesterday with the game between newcomer team Cape Coast Hoops and strong team Reformers. Despite the help of some import players like Mbah Ifeanyi (206-F-90), the Hoops felt 74-76. Two other games were played yesterday, and the Round 1 will be completed today. The full list of the male teams at the start is as follows: 1. REFORMERS2. POLICE3. FIRE4. BRAVES OF CEPS5. YOTIVE6. WIZARDS7. WARRIORS8. FLAMES9. PREMIER PANTHERS10. CAPE COAST HOOPS

Courtesy: Africa Basket Website

HOOPS power forwards for the USA

Two of Cape Coast HOOPS power forwards, Emmanuel Bassaw and Desmond Amadi, both 6'9" have been granted US Visa to enable them fly to the USA. Both players and the team are in high spirit on getting the news. Both will be playing in the collegiate league in the USA. We will keep you updated.  Note that so far the HOOPS Extramural Program has connected four players from Ghana and Nigeria for the USA. More players are on departure list and we will update you on them as well at the appropiate time. The program is open to all basketball players both in and outside the country. HOOPS on Fire, Baby!!! Make money to be able to get real estate and pay your mortgage.

Emmanuel Bassaw (left) and Desmond Amadi (right)

Another Ghanaian b'baller for the USA

HOOPS has once again being instrumental in helping another Ghanaian baller to have his dreams of playing basketball in USA realised. This time,  Ibrahim Salih. Salih is an ultra athletic wing player with an NBA ready body. An excellent student and a leader among his peers, Ibrahim is a great addition to our extramural program. Salih will arrive in Los Angeles on June 6th along with Bebe Vargas (Dominican Republic), Waldo Estevez, Kelvin Coplin (Dominican Republic), Zsolt Lakosa (Hungary), Adam Hajer (Hungary)and Francisco Luano (Angola). These are other students athletes who were selected from other countries around the world to take part in a special program organized by Tom Mott of the USA. We are living the dream of promoting young talented African ballers to play over seas. We will keep you updated on the progress of Ibrahim as he takes America by storm. We are still looking for young talented players for our program. Contact us if you have what it takes. HOOPS on Fire, baby!!!

HOOPS win friendly against Buduburam Settlement All-Stars 73 - 62 (27/05/08)

This past weekend, a friendly was played between the team and a selection of players from the Buduburam Settlement where the team is currently camping and training in preparation of both the Accra League and the WBA League. This match was organized to have some of the new boys blend with the other boys in the team. Although our opponents seemed as a mis-match they were also not willing to lay down and be slaughter. They did all they could to stop the onslaught of the much dominant players in size and skills. Players who represented in this encounter for HOOPS included Mbah Ifeanyi 6'9, Atsu Atakps 6'9, Saheed Oladipo 6'7, Fred Yeboah 6'5, Saykan Bestman 6'3, Bryant Davies 6'1 and new Italian born point guard, Emmanuel 5'11. Final Score 73- 62
 

UPDATE ON DANIEL 03/05/2008

We promised to update you on Daniel as he excel in the USA. Dan is the first recruited player of the HOOPS/RUNHOUSE Extramural Program. Latest reaching us states that he just finished the semester passing 13 hours with a 3.8 gpa, meaning he did very well in classes for his short time there. He is now working on campus in the maintenance area. So he will be doing some manual labor around campus to earn some money this summer. He is staying with a team mate who's mother works security on campus, so he seems to be doing ok and in good hands for the summer. Coach Gary said "I think after watching him play with us since he has been here, that he will be a very good player for us. I like the way he plays. He loves to rebound and seems to always know where the ball is going. He is a good passer and team player. We will continue to work on his outside shot so that by the time he leaves here he will be able to play on the perimeter more." Thanks Coach for the update.