Africa-Press – Kenya. Defending boys’ basketball champions Laiser Hill will today face Friends School, Kamusinga, in the semi-finals of the Brookside National Secondary Schools Term One Games in Kisumu.
Laiser Hill narrowly beat Lukenya School 71-69 to stamp their authority in the championship and book a date with Friends School Kamusinga.
Kamusinga finished second in their pool after suffering a heartbreaking 74-72 overtime loss to debutants St Mary’s School, Yala. The matches were played at Kisumu National Polytechnic. St Mary’s Yala will take on Lukenya Academy in what promises to be a mouth-watering clash.
St. Mary’s, Yala coach Leonard Okuku said his charges have shocked many by qualifying for the semi-finals unbeaten. “We want to maintain our consistency heading to the semis. We are here to contest for the trophy,” said Okuku.
Kamusinga coach Sammy Makokha said, “The game against Yala was tough. We lost due to a slight technical error. We are going to work on a few areas before we play the semifinal.”
In the girls’ category, three-time champions Butere Girls will face Nyanza’s Barchando Girls in the first semi-final, while former champions Kaya Tiwi will take on St Brigid’s Kiminini.
Butere Girls advanced to the semis after winning all three of their group stage matches. In their final game, they thrashed St Brigid’s Kiminini 75-40, while Kaya Tiwi beat Loreto 55-23. Barchando edged Ikutha 50-49 to progress.
In boys’ hockey, 12-time champions Friends School Kamusinga face a herculean task against hosts Kisumu Day. Former champions St Anthony’s Kitale topped their group to set up a clash with former Nyanza region champions Our Lady of Mercy Ringa Boys.
St Anthony’s Kitale thrashed Mbooni Boys 6-0 in their last group match, while Ringa Boys upset Hospital Hill 2-1. Friends School Kamusinga edged St Charles Lwanga 1-0, as hosts Kisumu Day narrowly beat Alliance High 1-0.
In boys’ handball, debutants St Joseph’s Boys Kitale beat former champions Musingu High 25-24 to top their group. Musingu will face Highway Secondary in Friday’s semi-final.
In the other semi-final, favourites Matuu Day will take on fellow debutants. In girls’ handball, defending champions Moi Girls Kamusinga won all their matches to set up a compelling semi-final duel against Central region champions Karai Girls.
Former champions St Joseph’s Girls, Kitale, also head into the semi-finals with a 100 per cent record and will face Nyanza region’s Nyakach Girls.
