Nizwa, Salalah share top spot in basketball league

SPORT REPORTER
MUSCAT, FEB 22
The first week of the 2025–2026 Youth Basketball League, held at the sub-hall of Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher, concluded with Nizwa and Salalah jointly leading the standings after each collected four points from two matches. The opening round revealed noticeable differences in team performances and offered early indications of an open and competitive race in the coming weeks.
Nizwa topped the overall standings on points difference, having scored 177 points while conceding only 81. The team’s strong start sent a clear message to rivals about its readiness to compete for the title. Nizwa displayed an organised offensive approach combined with defensive solidity that limited its opponents’ impact in both opening matches.
Salalah secured second place, also with four points from two matches, after scoring 146 points and conceding 130. The team continues to challenge for the top spot on points difference. Salalah showed strong character, particularly in closely contested games decided by narrow margins, reflecting its ability to manage crucial moments effectively.
Al Amerat placed third with four points from three matches, scoring 158 points and conceding 140. Despite playing an additional match, the team delivered balanced performances that confirm its presence in the competitive race.
Seeb ranked fourth with three points from three matches, recording 159 points while conceding only 86. The team demonstrated impressive attacking strength, especially in its dominant win over Saham. However, its defeat to Salalah affected its position in the standings.
Saham came fifth with three points from three matches, all of which ended in defeat. The team scored just 34 points while conceding 234, a record that highlights clear struggles on both the defensive and offensive ends during the opening week.
Week one produced varied results. Seeb secured a commanding 103–17 victory over Saham, while Nizwa edged past Al Amerat 66–64 in a tightly contested encounter decided in the final moments. Nizwa then continued its dominance with a 110–17 win over Saham. Salalah claimed an important 69–56 victory over Seeb before confirming its strong form with a thrilling 77–74 win against Al Amerat. In the sixth match, Saham withdrew from its game against Al Amerat, resulting in a 20–0 victory awarded to Al Amerat according to league regulations.
The opening round confirms that the competition will remain wide open in the coming weeks, with close point margins among the leading teams and varying technical levels. Attention now shifts to the upcoming rounds, which may bring significant changes to the standings as each team seeks to establish itself early in the title race.