Upper Hill rule Nairobi as Buru Buru Girls retain basketball title in school games

Upper Hill's George Abayo strugle with Jamhuri high school players during Nairobi Secondary school on Saturday, March 25, 2017. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Upper Hill retained the Nairobi boys basketball and rugby15s titles as the regional secondary schools Term One games ended yesterday at Nairobi School.

Giants Upper Hill have ruled Nairobi, which was known as Metropolitan for the past four years before reverting to the old provincial boundaries.

National champions Upper Hill proved that they are indeed the kings of school basketball with a resounding 80-27 victory over Highway. They led from the onset, taking the first quarter 8-3. They upped their scoring to grab the second 17-10.

They made light work of Highway, snatching the third 20-12 and final 15-2. Paul Otieno was the lead scorer for Upper Hill while Riak Machuol scored 12. However, it was Highway's Dennis Werunga who wowed the crowd, scoring 21 of their total 27.

Upper Hill beat hosts Nairobi School 12-3 in the rugby15s final to win the regional title for the second time in a row. Jonathan Madruguda and Said Abdalla scored tries. Spencer Ochieng scored a drop penalty for the hosts. In the semis Upper Hill dismissed Ofafa Jericho 12-3 as Nairobi beat Lenana 3-0. Lenana beat Ofafa 6-3 in the third place playoffs.

Buru Buru beat Parklands Arya 60-46 to retain the girls basketball title. Bubu Buru were undisputably the best side as they fought their hearts out to successfully defend their crown. Maureen Nyanganyi top-scored for Buru Buru with 15 points while Dorsilah Okode led Arya’s score with 11. Buru Buru dominated, taking the first quarter 18-10 before settling for 15-14 in a balanced second quarter to take a 33-24 lead at half-time. Determined to return to the nationals Buru Buru snatched the third period 19-16 before sealing the victory 8-6 in the final quarter.

Buru Buru showed class in their semi-finals, thrashing Moi Girls Nairobi 74-17. Arya crushed St Hannah's 53-11 to secure the finals slot.

Dr Ribeiro Parklands are the new boys hockey champions.