Former girls’ basketball champions Kaya Tiwi stormed into the semi-finals as the Brookside National Secondary Schools Term One Games entered Day Two in Kisumu on Wednesday. Kaya Tiwi, four-time national champions, beat Nyanza’s Barchando 74-51 on Tuesday to seal a last-four spot, having earlier defeated Ikutha Girls 65-45 in their opening match.
Ikutha Girls bounced back from their opening loss to edge Loreto Girls 48-42 in a tightly contested encounter. They will now face Barchando on Thursday in a decisive clash to determine who joins Kaya Tiwi in the semi-finals.Kaya Tiwi coach Phillip Onyango said: “We are through to the semis and our target is to lift the trophy. We have lost in three finals, and I believe this time, we shall lift the trophy.” St Brigid’s Girls Kiminini narrowly beat Olympic High School 59-58 after double overtime to also book a semi-final slot, while defending champions Butere Girls cruised into the last four with a dominant 105-14 win over Takaba Girls.
In the boys’ category, debutants St Mary’s School Yala progressed to the semi-finals after beating Mang’u High 74-49. Friends School Kamusinga thrashed North Eastern’s Sabunley 82-34, having opened their campaign with a 94-34 victory over Mang’u High.<chrismbaisi@gmail.com>Kamusinga will face Yala on Thursday to determine the pool winners. Yala coach Leonard Okuku expressed confidence ahead of the knockout stages. “We have progressed to the semis, and that’s where the competition starts because you lose, you go home. We want to win our last group game and top the group,” said Okuku.<chrismbaisi@gmail.com>In rugby 15s, Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association champions Kisii School boosted their semi-final hopes with a 17-6 win over Mang’u High, having earlier edged Kakamega High School 16-14.</chrismbaisi@gmail.com>
Kakamega High recovered from their opening loss to beat Menengai High 33-14, while Menengai had earlier thrashed Mang’u 46-5. Kakamega High coach Amos Wamanga said, “This was a must-win game for us after we lost the opening game to Kisii School. I’m impressed by the performance. We still have a chance of progressing to the semis. Our target is to win the game.”
Kisii School coach Edwin Morara acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, “Menengai are a formidable opposition, but we are ready to face the Rift Valley champions.”
Elsewhere, former champions Upper Hill School edged St Mary’s School, Yala 17-10 in a closely fought match at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium. In hockey, Ng’iya Girls became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals after beating AIC Nyayo 3-1 at Kisumu Day.
Goals from Mitchell Awino, Dorcas Brenda and Virginia Moraa sealed the win, while Eunice Musyimi scored the consolation for AIC Nyayo. Ng’iya, coached by Oduor Nyadida, had earlier edged Mwiki Girls 1-0. East Africa champions St Joseph’s Girls Kitale played out a barren draw, while defending champions Tigoi Girls began their title defence with a 1-0 win over St Charles Lwanga.
In the boys’ hockey category, Friends School Kamusinga drew 1-1 with Hospital Hill, while Ringa Boys held St Charles Lwanga to a 2-2 draw. Kamusinga now have four points after beating Ringa Boys 1-0. Hosts Kisumu Day returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Mbooni High, while St Anthony’s Kitale booked a semi-final slot with a commanding 3-0 victory over Alliance High.
