LAST MAN STANDING: All 2015 national winners exit regional finals, as Narok survive

Ramper Kasit of Narok boys in blue struggle past Kelvin Kile of Kirobon boys High school during the on going Mau region Secondary School sports Association at Nakuru Boys High School 24-03-2016 PHOTO:BONIFACE THUKU

The unpredictability of secondary school games makes the championships a nail-biting affair.

No school is ever assured of its place in the games. At times, victory lasts for only one year. To the lucky ones, maybe two or three years.

It takes more than character to replicate one’s results in successive championships too. Former American basketball player and coach, the late John Wooden, said “...ability may get you at the top, but it takes character to keep you there...” Surely, it requires much more.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

This year’s Term One secondary school regional games were the true testament that many teams, nay, national champions, lacked what it takes to remain at the top. Despite ruling on the field in last year’s games and getting unlimited coverage in local media, Maseno School, Laiser Hill Academy, Shimba Hills and Trans Nzoia Mixed were not good enough this year.

They could not hold on to their status and were brought back to earth in their respective regional finals. And with that, their chance to defend their crowns was long gone.

However, national boys’ hockey kings Narok stood out of the crowd. They are the only 2015 champions who will defend their diadem at the national games in April. Narok ascended to the country’s hockey throne in 2014, successfully defended it last year and were not ready to give up their crown, not without a fight.

They defeated St Patrick’s Iten 2-0 in the Mau Region finals to book their ticket to the national games.

National and East Africa rugby 15s champions Laiser Hill Academy, national girls basketball champions (Shimba Hills) boys champions (Maseno School) girls’ hockey champions (Trans Nzoia Mixed) as well as East Africa boys’ hockey champions (St. Anthony’s) will now be spectators at the next month’s games.

Laiser lost 14-15 to Upper Hill in boys’ rugby.

MASENO LOST

‘Uppa’ seemed to have found out what it takes to be a champion. Their desire was so obvious. Their dedication unquestionable and their determination was unflinching. Desire to win was clear.

Maseno and Shimba Hills will also be in the cold after they failed to defend their regional titles. Maseno lost 54-59 to Kisumu Boys in the Lake Region final, thus bringing to an end their one-year reign. Maseno dethroned Upper Hill last year, but failed to shine at the East Africa games. They lost in the group stage. Shimba’s lost to Kaya Tiwi, who also won the Kwale and Coast Region finals.

After making their debut at the national games last year, many had expected Trans Nzoia Mixed to maintain their tempo at this year’s games, but this was not to be.

They lost 2-0 to Misikhu in the semis, which allowed Tigoi Girls to snatch the trophy. Last year, Trans Nzoia won silver at the East Africa games.