Basketball: Parklands Arya rout Kenya High

Parklands Arya School's Jelimo Lagat, left, is challenged by UoN Dynamite's Sharon Kavoo during the Nairobi Basketball League on Monday, June 1st, 2015. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO.

Parklands Arya thrashed Kenya High 101-31 in their girls Westlands Sub-County basketball semi-finals match played yesterday at Upper Hill School.

Arya who are also the Nairobi County champions booked the ticket to the Westlands Sub-Region games set for next month.

Arya who lost their regional title to Buruburu last year showed class as they gave their Kenya High opponents a lesson in basketball. They announced their intended win by easily taking the first quarter 25-5. They grabbed the second 24-5 before Kenya High gave them a run for their money forcing them to fight for a 20-18 score before taking the fourth 32-8.

Arya Coach Godfrey Mwaloma said that their aim is to snatch the regional crown from Buruburu. “We want to reclaim our regional title from Buruburu because they still remain our biggest challengers.”

In the boys contest, Strathmore School and Hospital Hill secured their slots to the Western Sub-Region Secondary School games after winning their respective semi-finals matches. Strathmore who lost 36-56 to last year’s winners St Austin’s also increased their chances of winning this year’s trophy.

Strathmore beat Nairobi School 78-48 in a scintillating semi-finals. Strathmore’s Philip Mutiso was the player of the match with 26 points as he led his side to the resounding victory. Nairobi’s Nick Paul top scored for his side with 10 points.

Mutiso told Feverpitch that their main objective this year is to improve on last year’s performance. “We came close to winning last year but fell short losing in the finals. We have started well once again and I believe that through hardwork and determination we are capable of making a good account of ourselves,” Mutiso said.

Strathmore were the stronger side both mentally and physically. They dominated the game from the onset taking the first quarter 12-6. They became better in the second quarter securing it 22-12 to put the score at 34-18 by half time. They remained dominant snatching the third 19-10.

With victory within reach Strathmore sealed the finals slot with a 25-16 fourth quarter win.

Hospital Hill overcame Makini School 37-24 in the other semis to book a date with Strathmore. Despite losing the first quarter by half a basket 8-9, Hospital Hill bounced back to take the second 10-6 to open a three points lead at half time.

The third quarter was fiercely contested as both sides tied on eight points. Determined to earn their ticket to the sub-regional games Hospital Hill outclassed Makini to take the fourth quarter 11-1.

Abdicazak Mohammed starred in the game scoring 14 points but his effort went to waste as his side lost. Dafaa Ali was the top scorer for Hospital Hill with 10 points.