Nairobi Region Secondary Schools boys’ basketball champions Dagoretti High are eager to make their return to the Brookside National Term One games count.

Making their second appearance at the national games, they will be looking to improve on last year’s dismal show.

Dagoretti found the going tough on their national debut finishing seventh one place ahead of Wajir High School.

The city boys were outclassed by their compatriots from other regions and were bundled out at the group stage after losing all their matches to eventual winners Laiser Hill, finalists Sigalame and Alliance.

Fast-rising Dagoretti already proved that last year’s win over former national and East Africa champions Upper Hill was not a fluke by retaining the Nairobi Region title.

They are hoping that they will finally get it right in Mombasa after faltering in Embu last year. Oozing confidence team captain Churchill Ondoro said that unlike last year he was certain of a good finish.  

“In Mombasa, we don’t want to be mere participants but strong contestants for the title. We are more prepared than last year because we have been training with an idea of what to expect. In Embu, we were all new and clueless at that level of competition,” Ondoro said.  

Ondoro added that their first objective is to outshine their Group B opponents and qualify for the semis. “We lost all our matches last year and we determined to avoid a repeat of that. We are also eager to register our maiden victory at the national games as we look to achieve our first target is to qualify for the semi-finals.”

Dagoretti are in Group B where they begin against debutants Miruriiri High School of Eastern Region, Agoro Sare from Nyanza and Sigalame from Western who beat them 52-23 in Embu last year. They will rely on the services of Ondoro who has been very instrumental leading his side to a 55-39 victory against Upper Hill in Nairobi Region final.

Moses Alier a form one student who won the hearts of many at the regional games will also be out more to win more fans with is brilliant basketball skills. Dagoretti will also bank on Robert Odhiambo who tormented Upper Hill in the final game.

Defending champions Laiser Hill from Rift Valley are favourites to advance from Group A which also homeboys Aga Khan Academy Mombasa, newcomers Agoro Sare from Nyanza and North Eastern representatives. Agoro Sare secured their maiden appearance will also be hoping for a memorable national debut.

Agoro Sare had in 2017 and 2018 came close to qualifying for the national games but fell short after losing to Kisumu Boys and Ambira respectively they finally got it right after downing former national and East Africa champions Maseno 56-54 in the regional final.

Group A

Alliance (Central)

Aga Khan Academy (Coast)

North Eastern

Laiser Hill (Rift Valley)

Group B

Dagoretti High (Nairobi)

Agoro Sare (Nyanza)

Miruriiri (Eastern)

Sigalame (Western)