Koko banks on Teamwork as Hoopers target double over Falcons
Rivers Hoopers captain, Victor Anthony Koko has reiterated that teamwork remains a vital component for the reigning champions, as they seek to do a double over Atlantic Conference Group B opponents, Kwara Falcons. Defending champions, Rivers Hoopers defeated Kwara Falcons 83-61 in the first of two 2025 Nigeria Basketball Premier League (NBPL) Group Phase fixtures on Monday, 1st September. The game, which was played at the Indoor Basketball Court, on 59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Township, saw John Idoga (18), Favour Komene (11), and Sani Samuel (10) hit double figures for the KingsMen, who mixed youth and experience, with Koko, who scored 9, acknowledging the contributions of the youngsters. Koko said, "I give kudos to everyone on the team because the guys were able to compose themselves and play to a high standard. Playing for Hoopers is a huge task. Most of these guys are young players who are just coming into the team. Yes, they've been playing basketball, but this is a different level of basketball. So I'll give the new guys kudos for their addition to the team [during our last game]." However, speaking after the team's training session on Tuesday ahead of their next game today, the seven-time NBPL champion warned that facing Kwara Falcons for a second time might prove to be a more difficult task than the first game. He cautioned his team to guard against complacency while insisting that only teamwork can lead the KingsMen to victory. "I won't write off Kwara Falcons for our next game because it's very difficult to play against a team twice. We just have to put our acts together as a team. We need to work for each other, play for each other, regardless of how the game goes. "In the end we just want to come out victorious," he stated. Rivers Hoopers will once again take on Kwara Falcons in a return fixture at the same venue, by 4pm today.
September 3, 2025
Koko banks on Teamwork as Hoopers target double over Falcons
Rivers Hoopers captain, Victor Anthony Koko has reiterated that teamwork remains a vital component for the reigning champions, as they seek to do a double over Atlantic Conference Group B opponents, Kwara Falcons.
Defending champions, Rivers Hoopers defeated Kwara Falcons 83-61 in the first of two 2025 Nigeria Basketball Premier League (NBPL) Group Phase fixtures on Monday, 1st September.
The game, which was played at the Indoor Basketball Court, on 59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Township, saw John Idoga (18), Favour Komene (11), and Sani Samuel (10) hit double figures for the KingsMen, who mixed youth and experience, with Koko, who scored 9, acknowledging the contributions of the youngsters.
Koko said, "I give kudos to everyone on the team because the guys were able to compose themselves and play to a high standard. Playing for Hoopers is a huge task. Most of these guys are young players who are just coming into the team. Yes, they've been playing basketball, but this is a different level of basketball. So I'll give the new guys kudos for their addition to the team [during our last game]."
However, speaking after the team's training session on Tuesday ahead of their next game today, the seven-time NBPL champion warned that facing Kwara Falcons for a second time might prove to be a more difficult task than the first game. He cautioned his team to guard against complacency while insisting that only teamwork can lead the KingsMen to victory.
"I won't write off Kwara Falcons for our next game because it's very difficult to play against a team twice. We just have to put our acts together as a team. We need to work for each other, play for each other, regardless of how the game goes. "In the end we just want to come out victorious," he stated.
Rivers Hoopers will once again take on Kwara Falcons in a return fixture at the same venue, by 4pm today.