Lady Dolphins top regular season as playoffs set for fierce showdowns

National Basketball League

Quarter finals

Lady Dolphins v Lady Tomahawks

KCCA Leopards v Magic Stormers 

Lady Jaguars v Miracle Eaglets

Lady Canons v KIU Rangers

Defending champions JKL Lady Dolphins finished first with 17 wins and 3 losses, ahead of KCCA Leopards on head-to-head record.

The result was confirmed after the Women’s National Basketball League regular season ended on Saturday 9.

JT Lady Jaguars and UCU Lady Canons complete the top four. The Lady Jaguars finished with 16 wins and 4 losses, while the Lady Canons ended with 14 wins after losing points for failing to play against Angels.

The other four teams in the playoffs are KIU Rangers, Miracle Eaglets, Magic Stormers, and UPDF Lady Tomahawks. All will be hoping to cause upsets against the top seeds in the knockout stage.

JKL Lady Dolphins v UPDF Lady Tomahawks 

In the quarterfinals, JKL Lady Dolphins will face UPDF Lady Tomahawks. This is the second year in a row they meet at this stage. Last season, JKL won both games comfortably and also beat them twice in the regular season this year. The Lady Dolphins will have star guard Brenda Ekone back, alongside Gazelles players Hope Akello, Agatha Kamwada, and Evelyn Nakiyingi.

KCCA Leopards v Magic Stormers 

Second seed KCCA Leopards will play Magic Stormers. The two met in the last game of the regular season, with KCCA winning 66-50. KCCA have not gone past the quarterfinals in the last two years, and the Stormers will be eager to change their own history by reaching the semifinals.

JT Lady Jaguars v Miracle Eaglets 

JT Lady Jaguars will take on Miracle Eaglets in what could be a tough battle. The Jaguars won their previous quarterfinal meeting in 2023. The Eaglets, led by coach Arnold Katabi, have strong players like Mariam Namukwaya and new signing Esther Loki Mpongo, but will miss key guard Brenda Alyano after a road accident.

UCU Canons v KIU Rangers 

UCU Lady Canons will face KIU Rangers in one of the most even matchups. UCU won their first meeting 56-40, but KIU got revenge with a 64-57 victory in the second game. This tie will also see Gazelles head coach Nicholas Natuhereza (UCU) face his assistant coach Julius Lutwama (KIU).

Semi - finals prediction 

If JKL Lady Dolphins beat UPDF, they will meet the winner between UCU Lady Canons and KIU Rangers in the semifinals. The other semifinal will feature the winners of KCCA Leopards against Magic Stormers and JT Lady Jaguars versing Miracle Eaglets.

The playoffs are expected to start after the Men’s Afrobasket tournament in Angola later this month. Dates will be confirmed by the Federation soon.