Baylakers ready to defend Kisumu County Basketball League title

Chrispine Abuto of Platinum in action during a past KCBL match in Kisumu. (Washington Onyango, Standard)

Baylakers captain Elisha West has said that his side is determined to hold on to the Kisumu County Basketball League (KCBL) title this season.

The Homa Bay-based team finished top of the standings with 44 points after winning 20 of their 24 league matches, two points ahead of second-placed Busia Raptors and Maseno Dukes in third.

Baylakers will play Wildcats from Kisumu at the Jomo Kenyatta Sportsground on Saturday in the third quarter-final match which will be played in the best of three, with the two remaining matches to be hosted in HomaBay and Kisumu respectively.

West said they are eager to replicate their success this season, noting that his teammates are working hard upon returning to training for the KCBL quarterfinals playoffs

"We are ready for the quarter-final. After enduring a very competitive season, I believe we are heading to the knockouts stronger and determined. The lads are doing fine since resuming training andour focus is to getto the semis," West told Standard Sports.

His Wildcats counterpart Maxwell Oketch, however, said they are determined to stop the South Nyanza based outfit and they are ready to fight till the end.

“We have not had a wonderful season in the county league but am confident we will perform well. Our journey for redemption start by winning this first round,” he said.

Wildcats finished eight in the standings after winning only nine matches out of the 24 and they will start the playoffs as underdogs.

Maseno Dukes will kick off the 2019 playoffs against 2016 champions Platnum in the morning before Tritons play Busia Raptors in the second match.

The final match will see Kisumu All-Stars entertain Team Seven later in the afternoon for the quarterfinal playoffs first t round games.