Basketball: Laiser Hill rule basketball court to bag title

Laiser Hill Academy were the victors of the much hyped boys basketball battle of the hills as curtains fell on this year’s Secondary Schools National Term One Games at State House Girls, Nairobi.

The Kajiado County students outclassed 2016 champions Upper Hill 51-43 in a nail biting final to lift their sixth national gong yesterday.                      

It was sweet revenge for Laiser who moved back to their original Rift Valley home this year after suffering four years of defeat and pain in the hands of Upper Hill.

They were locked out of the nationals by Upper Hill after Kajiado was merged with Machakos, Makueni and Nairobi to form the Metropolitan Region in 2013. For four years they were reduced to play second fiddle and never made it past the region falling to Upper Hill in Metropolitan finals.

Seeking to reclaim their lost glory, Laiser who last won the national gong in 2012 put up a spirited fight against their robust counterparts to snatch the coveted trophy. Laiser captain Sheldon Ouma said the match was closely contested but they wanted the trophy more.

“It was not about a better side because we were even in all aspects of the game, it was all about the desire and longing to win and we got it because we wanted it more,” Ouma said.

His Upper Hill counterpart Deng Garang congratulated the winners saying they fought a good fight. “It was a very tough match, we gave it our all but lack was not on our side. We both qualified for East Africa games and I think that together we can reclaim the regional trophy,” Garang said.

Upper Hill seemed to be in control as they eased to a 12-4 lead in the first quarter. However, tides changed for Laiser after the introduction of leggy Fahran Museremu. He managed to limit Upper Hill’s control of the game and also charged forward to help his side take the second quarter 14-5 and put the score at 18-17 taking a one point lead at halftime.

Both sides engaged in a bruising battle but it was Laiser who snatched the third quarter 15-11.

There was no looking back for the seven-time East Africa champions as they fought tooth and nail with Upper Hill taking a 39-36 lead with approximately six minutes remaining.

The final quarter was closely contested but it was Elvis Ssentongo’s three pointer that sealed Upper Hill’s fate with less than two minutes remaining as they took it 18-15.

In the girls contest, the gods of basketball were on Kaya Tiwi’s side as they overcame a slow start to beat St Brigid’s Kiminini 47-35 and successfully defend their crown.

Beryl Aoko and Christine Aoko top scored for Kaya Tiwi with 10 points each while Clara Rotich was St Brigid’s lead scorer with eight.

In third place playoffs Tigoi beat Buruburu 47-33 to grab the girls’ last ticket to the East Africa games. [Elizabeth Mburugu]