Maseno recapture Lake Basketball crown

By Kenan Miruka

Maseno School successfully defended their Lake/Highland region boys’ basketball crown beating arch-rivals St Mary’s Yala Boys 68-41 baskets in a pulsating final played at Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho.

Coached by Principal Paul Otula, Maseno faced a stern examination from a resilient Yala team who restricted their attacking game.

Trevor Ochieng garnered 25 points for Maseno who thumped their opponents 30-09 in the final. Otula said he was impressed by his team’s performance although he had yet to field his strongest side.

“The match officials have to up their standards and watch Euro basketball particularly on fouls. My boys showed flashes of their brilliance in the first set and we had teams from Nairobi scouting during our game,” said Otula.

Yala coach Dennis Oyako lauded Maseno saying they were worthy winners and blamed his team’s woes on fatigue that led to poor concentration.

In girls’ basketball, St Mary’s Mabera Girls from Migori County beat Raliew Secondary from Kisumu County 50-41 baskets to lift the trophy and will now represent the region at the nationals.

Loice Odhiambo was the highest scorer with 13 baskets for Mabera whose players broke down at the final whistle overjoyed by their performance.

In boys rugby, St Mary’s Yala battled hard to be crowned the region’s champions beating Maseno School 7-0. Felix Young converted a try to win the game for his team against their bitter rivals Maseno.

In netball, Ogande Girls from Homabay County overcame Siaya’s Obambo Secondary 59-19 in the finals. In the third place play-off, Kobala beat Nyarach 35-28.

The highlight of the finals was the boys’ 4-4 relay where Kisii County team led by Peter Tukoyo of Moteiribe Secondary emerged victors. Tukoyo will lead Duke Aura, Dickson Masitoi and Dennis Omari to the nationals.