SCHOOLS: Kenyans win some, lose some in Uganda games

Kwanthanze Secondary School's volleyball team during their match with Kesogon Mixed at Kisii School. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Kenyans on Monday registered mixed results as this year's Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) games entered day two here in Mbale, Uganda.

Buruburu Girls had a good day in office beating Uganda's 55-45 in their girls' basketball Group A match at Amus College.

Josephine Adhiambo and Adut Magor top scored for Buruburu, who returned to the games after a two-year absence, with 13 points each while Quinter Achayo added 11.

Josephine Akitieng was Nabisunsa's top scorer with 12 points.

Despite having a slow start that saw them trail by eight points at the end of the first quarter, Buruburu rallied from behind to carry the day.

Nabisunsa, backed by home crowds, had everything going for them easily taking the first quarter 16-8.

Buruburu were stronger in the second quarter scoring 19 points against Nabisunsa's 14 to make it a three-point game going into the breather. Coach Julius Otieno's half-time peptalk was a game changer as Buruburu returned stronger to dominate the third and fourth quarters and seal the victory. Otieno said that he utilised the halftime break to instill confidence in his players.

"We had a talk during the break and I assured them that victory was within reach. I encouraged them to believe in themselves and give their best," Otieno said.

However, national basketball champions Butere Girls were unlucky losing 67-41 to 2019 champions St Noa from Uganda in their Group B opener.

In other girls' matches, Rwanda's GS Marie Reine beat former holders Buddo Secondary School from Uganda 71-60, while St Mary's Kitende dismissed Tanzania's Orkeeswa Secondary School 58-43.

In volleyball, girls' reigning champions Kwanthanze Secondary School showed that they mean business with a straight sets win over perennial rivals GS St Aloys from Rwanda in Group A.

Kwanthanze, who are looking to extend their dominance to six years in a row, made light work of their Rwandese opponents taking the first set 25-13. The Rwandans staged some resistance, but Kwanthanze were too good snatching the second set 25-18 before sealing the victory with a 25-12 score in the third set.

Kesogon showed no respect for their hosts Bukedea Comprehensive School humiliating them in straight sets of 25-9, 25-9 and 25-15.

It was a bad day in office for Kenyan boys as defending champions Friends Boys High School Namwela and Hospital Hill lost their respective opening matches to their hosts in Group A.