By SAMUEL LUKHANDA –
Lunga 56 Takers 35
CHAMPIONS Lunga Bullets sent a strong warning to their rivals after starting their Copperbelt Basketball Association (CBA) title defence from where they left off last season after beating new comers Ndola Takers.
CEC Cavaliers saw off North-western representatives Kansanshi Panthers as the CBA league got underway at the weekend at three venues and it was a welcome sight for the fans that have been eagerly waiting for the games to start after a couple of postponements.
Lunga needed to set the tone on the opening day of the league having escaped with the season opening tournament crown by the skin of their teeth.
Facing a promotion side in Ndola Takers made it look easy as the new boys suffered 21 points loss at Sino-Zam Friendship Hospital courts.
It was always going to be a learning curve for the Ndola boys but they needed to up their game if they are to conserve their super league status.
Cavs 52 Panthers 46
Cavs beat Kansanshi Panthers  by six points in a match played at the Copperbelt University (CBU) courts.
Panthers, who won the B league last season, should take plenty of positives from the game seeing that they only lost by three baskets.
Comets 56 Magnets 34
CBU Comets won a blow out in the first game against Mufulira Magnets by 22 point margin.
The students playing on their home floor and in front of their fans needed to get a win and they did.
Elsewhere, in games played at Sino-Zam courts, Ndola Nets powered to a 46-32 win over Fairview Falcons.
Kamfinsa cardinal proved too strong for bite less YMCA Stingers whom they handed a 63-49 loss.
In the B league, there was a win for debutants Kalewa who beat Magnets B 59-54 as Riverside drowned Panthers B 60-35, Don Bosco beat Chikola Breakers 66 – 44.
In the feminine league, CEC Queens won 44-16 against Mufulira Saints in a lopsided affair while Bushers demolished Saints again 44-25.
Don Bosco Storm edged Kansanshi Wildcats 34-28.