Ambira High School edged Agoro Sare 48-33 in a scintillating final to win Biro Lich boys’ basketball title at Jomo Kenyatta Sports grounds over the weekend.
In the first quarter, Ambira captained by Bob Emmanuel, won 14-6 and went ahead to narrowly win 14-11. As the second half resumed, Agoro Sare dominated but lost the third quarter 12-8 before losing the fourth quarter 8-6 in the last quarter.
Ambira coach Patrick Mboya fielded diminutive under Under-16 international Javan Opiyo who tormented Agoro Sare players. Opiyo was in the team that represented Kenya in NBA junior tournament in South Africa last year. Mboya said: “This tournament is a good build up ahead of KSSSA championships. We have been to the regionals for five consecutive years and won once. This year, our target is to reach nationals.”
His Agoro Sare counterpart Paul Odok said: “My players are inexperienced. We only have one Form 4 player after most of our players left last year after concluding their studies. However, this is a good team for the future.”
In the girls’ category, Barchando Girls beat Butere Girls 29-19 entertaining finals to lift the title. Barchando, coached by Hermon Omondi, raced to a 14-6 lead after a dominant performance. Butere won the third quarter 6-2 before succumbing to a 6-16 loss in the last quarter.
Coach Omondi said: “The victory is a shocker to me because we came in the tournament not to win but give the girls exposure. This will drive the girls to keep up with their training.”
Kisumu Boys thumped Ngere Boys 4-0 to win the boys’ hockey title. Billy Osano and Ian Jack scored one goal apiece before Arnold Oduor struck twice to give Kisumu the deserved victory. In girls’ hockey Tigoi Girls beat Lakers Club from Kisumu 2-0 to lift the title while St Theresa’s Kisumu settled for the third position.
About 14 secondary schools participated in the tournament which was sponsored by Skylark, Equator bottlers, Homeland events, Creative Natives, Gionee and Liverpool VCT.