National boys’ and girls’ basketball champions Dr Aggrey and Kaya Tiwi from Coast region made their intentions clear to retain their trophies as this year’s Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Term One games got underway in Eldoret.
However, Dr Aggrey’s win did not come easy and were forced to out up a spirited fight against stubborn Onjiko High School from Nyanza forcing a 60-53 win in their opening Pool B match. In another Pool B encounter former champions Laiser Hill from Rift Valley who are seeking to reclaim the title they lost to Dr Aggrey last year drubbed hapless Wajir High from North Eastern 155-19.
Alvin Otieno was in a class of his own scoring 21 points for Onjiko but his effort could not save his side from defeat. Joseph Ngundi was Dr Aggrey’s top scorer with 13 points while Deng Auok added 12. The first quarter was a neck on neck affair with Onjiko taking a narrow 11-10 lead.
Determined to show that they are the champions, Dr Aggrey were rejuvenated in the second quarter to score 30 points against Onjiko’s 11 and take a resounding 40-22 lead at the breather. Their impressive show in the second quarter won them the game as Onjiko would play better in the second half taking the third and fourth quarters 15-10 and 16-10. Former holders Laiser Hill made light work of Wajir High School thrashing them 155-19 in the other Pool B tie.
In Pool A, last year’s silver medalists Dagoretti High beat Friends School Kamusinga 68-55 while Lukenya School routed Thika High 72-38. Lukenya are looking to improve on last year’s performance and secure a last four slot.
Champions Kaya Tiwi ruthlessly battered Hon DM Amin from North Eastern 122-0 while Butere Girls from Western region returned to the national scene with a bang to register a 67 -49 win against Nyanza’s Ototo Mixed School in Pool A. Central’s Loreto Limuru who are regulars at the nationals ushered Our Lady of Mercy South B to the big stage with a 37-31 defeat in Pool B whereas upcoming Rift Valley sports powerhouse St Joseph’s Kitale routed Eastern’s Clay International 74-34 to increase their chances of reaching the semis.
In handball Rift Valley’s Kamito avenged their last year’s final loss that denied them the national crown by beating defending champions Hospital Hill 31-29. After going into the breather trailing 12-16, Kamito rallied from behind to seal the win. In the girls’ contest, champions Moi Girls Kamusinga made light work of Nairobi’s Dagoretti Mixed to ease to a 42-18 victory.
By Education News
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