Laiser Hill beat Kamusinga as Buru Buru make dream return

By Oscar Pilipili

Tylor Okari sunk game high 43 points, including five three pointers, but he could not stop Laiser Hill from beating Friends School Kamusinga 95-86 in Pool ‘A’ match of Brookside National Secondary Schools Games.

The match, a repeat of last year’s final, lived up to the billing as a tough affair at Upper Hill High School.

Inspirational captain Okari, who displayed a skilful game, led Kamusinga to a slim first quarter lead of 22-19 before the Western Province School cruised to an advantage at 44-43 at halftime.

Kamusinga crumbled in the second half and Laiser Hill took advantage to score 54 more points against their opponent’s 41 to claim the match 95-86.

Lead from front

Wol Mayen, who managed 19 points, was the highest scorer in Laiser’s line-up.

Okari said: "The match was hard but easier than when we met in the final last year."

Okari played down his impressive performance where he managed unmatched 43 points saying it was all as a result of teamwork.

"All other players played a role in our results but as a captain, I have to lead from the front," he said.

Laiser Hill coach Anthony Karimi said the match was hard since the teams know each other well.

"We did not exploit our full potential but we hope to make amends in the next matches," Karimi said.

Nairobi’s Buru Buru made a dream return to the games after a seven years absence after beating Laiser 60-56 in a closely contested girls’ basketball Pool ‘A’ match.

Melissa Akinyi top scored for Buru Buru with 23 points, while Lydia Imbati of Laiser had game high 32 points.

Buru Buru captain Georgia Adhiambo said: "We didn’t play the way we expected because our target was a 20-point lead."