Giants tumble as Lukenya juggernaut continues in Kisumu

There will be a new basketball 5x5 champion this year after Laiser Hill relinquished their title following a 69-61 defeat by former champions Friends School Kakamega (FSK) in a thrilling semi-final of the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Term One Games in Kisumu on Friday.

Laiser tipped off the game on a high, dominating the first quarter 18-13 before losing momentum in the second quarter to fall to Kamusinga 21-11.

Third and fourth quarters were closely contested; Laiser tried to come back but Kamusinga held tightly to their lead, winning 22-20 and 13-12, respectively, to eliminate the reigning champions.

Kamusinga will now clash with an on-form Lukenya who spanked hapless St. Mary’s Yala 67-49.

Lukenya's emphatic entry into the final means the Eastern giants made history by becoming the first side from that region to ascend the basketball 5x5 final.

The Stallions dominated the hosts in every aspect, winning the first three quarters 22-17, 19-10 and 14-8 respectively before losing the fourth quarter 14-12.

Head coach Emmanuel Mwanzui hailed his boys for the win crediting incredible ball handling as the key to their victory.

“We have good ball handlers and that helped us beat Yala. We promise a good final and look forward to lifting our first basketball title,” Mwanzui said.

In girls’ basketball, reigning champions Butere Girls will renew rivalry with former champions Kaya Tiwi after both teams stormed to the finals.

Upper Hill also continued their brilliant form in Rugby 15s, pulling off an incredible comeback to stun record champions Kakamega School 21-11 and book a final slot.

The Nairobi region giants found themselves behind in the opening 10 minutes of the game after Emmanuel Mbakaya converted a penalty with Austin Musiomi scoring a beautiful try after dancing past them, giving The Barbarians an 8-0 lead.

However, Upper Hill responded through Abdalla Said with Kenneth Enangu converting to reduce the deficit to 8-7 on the stroke of halftime.

Second half produced a similar script to the Kisii Vs Kakamega game with Kakamega scoring a penalty through Austin Musiomi to extend the lead to 11-7 only for Jackson Otieno Ochieng to score an excellent try at the death to win it for Upper Hill, breaking The Barbarians’ fans' hearts.

Head coach Newton Mose hailed his boys’ mentality to come back and win the tie.

“Today’s match was a tough test for both the body and mind but the boys stood up and won, I’m proud of the boys.”

“We’ve been used to making comebacks and today was one of those days, we kept pushing even when we were down and it paid off.”

Captain Chrispinus Makokha exuded confidence in clinching the title.

“I always tell my teammates to never give up even when we are down. We’ve not come to play this time and we must make sure we lift the title,” a confident Makokha said.

Upper Hill will now clash with Kisii School in a highly anticipated final, with a mission of winning the national title that has been elusive to them since 2018.

Kisii School showed immense character and resilience, lifting St. Mary’s off their feet with a huge uppercut that left their bitter rivals in shock to ascend to their second successive final.

The reigning East African champions scraped into the final with a 13-03 win over the Nyanza regional champions, which was sweet revenge after the regional upset.

Girls' hockey also produced a similar script, with Nyamira Girls stunning nemesis Ng’iya Girls 2-1 in post-match penalties after a 2-2 draw in regular time to storm the final.

The 2023 champions finally achieved sweet revenge after the regional champions had dominated them for second successive years. Ng’iya drew first blood when Mitchel Awino scored a sublime goal in the fifth minute, and Quinter Clarice added another to give them a 2-0 lead into the break.

Nyamira refused to give in and unearthed their Arsenal in the second half, attacking relentlessly; their efforts paid off in the 46th minute through Emmaculate Otieno.

Their hearts were almost broken minutes later when they conceded a penalty but their goalkeeper Clare Maloba pulled off an incredible save, keeping their hopes alive.

And with four minutes left to play, captain Pauline Gracha rose to the occasion, nodding home the equalizer to send the fans into roars.

Goalkeeper Maloba was also on top of her game in the penalty shootout, saving the last penalty to see the former champions through.

Head coach Dennis Kigai was over the moon following the win.

“We have been losing slightly but this time we came with one motive: to win at whatever cost. I’m glad even when we were 2-0 down, we recomposed and came back. We are optimistic of ascending to the title,” Kigai noted.

They will now play East African reigning Champions St. Joseph’s Girls Kitale, who whitewashed AIC Nyayo 4-0.

Boys’ final will also produce a thrilling contest between former champions Friends School Kamusinga and St. Anthony Boys Kitale. FSK edged hosts Kisumu Day 1-0, and St. Anthony saw off Ringa boys with a similar score.

In the handball rivalries will be renewed with Moi Girls Kamusinga clashing with St. Joseph’s Kitale (JOGA) while Musingu will battle it out with St. Joseph’e Boys Kitale.

Girls final will be a repeat of the 2022 final which JOGA won 16-15 in a closely contested tie. On their route to the final, Kamusinga stunned Karai 27-10 while JOGA tore Nyakach apart in a 31-20 win.

In boys’ category record champions Musingu thumped Highway 22-17 while JOBO outclassed St. Austin Matuu 31-16.