School Games: Laiser Hill edge Dagoretti to storm basketball semis, Butere stunned

In the repeat of last year’s final which Laiser Hill won 45-43 to lift a record-extending ninth crown, the champions drew first blood with a 16-4 triumph in the first quarter to set the pace of the encounter.

However, Dagoretti roared back in the second quarter to win 16-7 but went on 10-20 in the third quarter.

With the game already at bay in favour of the defending champions, Dagoretti had little to do in the last quarter giving their rivals a chance to finish the game on high with an 18-0 rout.

Laiser Hill head coach Eric Mutoro, who doubles up as Morans' captain, hailed his charges for their impressive shift.

“I expected the game to be tough because in last year's final we only won by a margin of two. I'm impressed with my boy's brilliant display especially in defence.

“We are not giving this title to anyone. We are going to defend our title and we'll give everything,” noted Mutoro.

Dagoretti must defeat homeside Lukenya School on Thursday to qualify to the semis while Laiser Hill wind up the preliminary matches against North Eastern’s Sabunley Boys High School.

Dagoretti have three points following their 125-35 win against Sabunley Boys on Tuesday. Laiser saw off Lukenya School in their Group B opening fixture.

In pool A, Nyanza region's giants Agoro Sare shocked former champions Dr. Aggrey 54-53 to storm the semis with a game to spare.

Head coach Benson Ochieng hailed his charges for showing character and resilience to win the match.

“The game was tough, we played well, stuck to our structure and we were able to win the match. We still have to work on our turnovers to make sure we bag the title.”

In the girls’ contest, former champions Buruburu Girls put reigning champions Butere Girls to the sword with a 33-27 win in their second match.

The Nairobi region giants defence kept the Cannons' attacks at bay leaving them with a must win match against Mpesa Academy on Thursday to book a semi-final place.

Head coach Julius Otieno hailed his charges for sticking to their structure to win the match.

“We had a good defence. It is what won us the game, we defended well and punished them on their sloppiness in defence. We are playing Nyakach, a good side and we will pressure them to make mistakes and ensure we win and top our group,” said Otieno.

Former champions Kaya Tiwi made light work of Eastern Region’s Ikutha Girls with a 82-26 win to book a semi-final slot.

Hospital Hill too strong

In handball boys’ defending champions Hospital Hill survived an early scare from Handege Boys to spank them 33-12 and storm the semis, showing their intent to defend their title.

Handege went toe to toe with the Emmanuel Wabule led charges in the first half narrowly losing 14-17.

Hospital Hill came with a different gear in the second half to end Handege's Semi-final hopes.

“The game was very intense in the early stages but we remained calm, capitalized on their mistakes and won the game. We noted their weaknesses, talked to the boys on how we would counter them in the second half and that's how we won the game,” said Wabule.

The champions are now pencilled to play St. Luke's Kimilili Boys in the last match that will determine the group's winner. Kimilili edged North Eastern 51-20 to book a place in the semi-finals.

On the same grounds, home side Mbooni Boys got off the canvas and lifted Mwangea off the fit with a huge upper cut of 31-20 to storm the semis.

They play Saniak, who beat Manyatta 24-13, in the last match that will decide group B's winner.

The girls’ contest saw last year's runners up Moi Girls Kamusinga dispatch Moi Forces 27-14 to storm the semis as they remained on course in their pursuit of reclaiming the title they lost last year to St. Joseph's Kitale.

Head coach Godfrey Simiyu noted that their great understanding of the game won them the tie.

“We studied the game, changed our structure, improved the way we defended and put the tie to bed. We are looking forward to reclaiming our title this year.”

Kamusinga will now meet home side Kwathanze in a scintillating clash that will decide group A winner.

Kwanthanze, who are known for their prowess in volleyball, beat Dagoretti Mixed 24-20 in a scintillating tie to storm semis, showing an intent of bagging the handball title on their maiden appearance.

Rift Valley’s Murundiko Girls, who stunned defending champions St. Joseph's Kitale on their enroute to the nationals defeated Nyathuna 34-13 to book a place in the semis while Nyanza's Ulanda Girls saw off North Eastern's side to complete the semi-finals line-up.

Ulanda will play Murundiko in group B's winner decider clash.