School Games: Crème de la crème of secondary school sports battle for national glory

Laiser Hill's Elvis Ssentongo keep the ball away from Willing Aneng (left) of Upper Hill School in their final match during Kenya Secondary Schools Term 1 games at Nairobi School on Saturday, April 15, 2017. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Secondary schools boys basketball giants Laiser Hill eye a seventh title as Term One action begins in Embu County.

Top guns Laiser Hill from Rift Valley Region will today lock horns with Central’s Alliance in their opening Group B match as this year’s Brookside Secondary Schools National Term One Games begin at Kangaru School, Embu.

The boys’ basketball champions, who returned to the nationals last year and reclaimed the title after four years in the cold, will be out to make it two in a row and seven overall.

Laiser Hill are currently the most successful boys basketball team with six national and seven East Africa titles.

Laiser Hill captain Sheldon Ouma said a flawless start will boost their chances of reaching the semis.

“We are aiming for a good start because winning is the only way we can boost our chances of advancing to the semi-finals," said Ouma.

The other Group B match will be a battle of debutantes as Nairobi’s Dagoretti High takes on Sigalame from Western. Despite being newcomers, the two are also favourites after claiming honours at the regional games.

Dagoretti defeated three-time national champions Upper Hill, while Sigalame dismissed top sides from Western Region, among them Chavakali.

In Group A, Meru School of Eastern will take on Wajir High of North Eastern while Nyanza’s Ambira tackle Aga Khan from Coast.

In the girls' contest, defending champions Kaya Tiwi of Coast face off with Barchando of Nyanza, who return to the nationals after a one-year absence while Moi Girls Eldoret take on Butere of Western in Group A.

Nairobi winners Buruburu play Moi Girls Mandera of North Eastern while home girls Kirigara entertain Loreto Limuru in Group B.