Kaya Tiwi stumble in basketball

It was an outing of mixed results for Kenyan teams as this year’s East Africa Secondary School Games entered day three in Eldoret.

It took something special for Burundi’s Lycee du Lac Tanganyika to shock girls’ national basketball champions Kaya Tiwi 38-37.

Kaya Tiwi had not tasted defeat in 26 matches. In fact, their winning scores in their previous matches left no doubt of their pedigree.

But just like a house of cards, they tumbled in their opening game, their imperious form notwithstanding. For sure, it was not the kind of outing head coach Philip Onyango and his charges were expecting - it was meant to be business as usual. After all, winning had been their game and lifting titles their cup of tea so far. They got off to a 12-10 lead after the first quarter and were happier with a 27-15 half-time command.

But the regional games proved to be a different ball game altogether for the Kenyans. Turnovers came in fast. Missed passes increased. Tension began to show. And the effects were far-reaching. The Burundians learnt the ropes fast. Like wounded leopards, they picked out their prey. There was no turning back. In the end, the Kenyans paid the price - a 38-37 final score. So close, yet so far.

“It was a tight game but we lost some concentration. We have other matches to focus on and we are determined to go all the way,” said Onyango.

While Kaya Tiwi were licking their wounds, three-time East Africa girls’ hockey champions defeated former winners Kerugoya 4-0. In the boys’ category, Happy Psirmoi, Conrad Wafula and Justine Ng’etich sounded the boards as Friends School Kamusinga defeated Upper Hill 3-1. David Mwaura pulled one back for Upper Hill.

In handball, former East Africa girls champions Moi Girls Kamusinga began their campaign with a convincing 22-14 against Uganda’s Gombe. Returnees Makongeni were not so lucky as they lost 28-29 to defending champions ES Kigoma of Rwanda. Kigoma seemed have mastered how to fell the Kenyans, having lifted the title last year by narrowly beating St Peters Chesirikwa 24-23.