School games: Regional champions do what they do best

Makueni County basketball champions Kasikeu Boys High School began their quest for the regional title with a resounding 60-25 win against Marsabit County’s Dakabaricha Secondary School as the Eastern Region games got underway yesterday at Chuka Boys High School.

Kasikeu, who are looking to end Lukenya School’s dominance in the region, dominated their opponents from the onset taking the first quarter 14-6.

They put up a great show in the second period to score 22 points against Dakabaricha’s seven and stretch their lead to 36-13 to kill the game by the half-time break.

With an unassailable 23-point advantage, Kasikeu slowed down in the second half but still won the third and fourth quarters 12-10 and 12-2 respectively, to seal victory and enhance their chance of advancing to the knockouts from Group A.

In Group B, Lukenya walloped Kitui School 78-23 to making their intentions to retain their trophy known.

Lukenya made light work of Kitui champions and were home and dry at half-time after taking a commanding 47-7 lead. Kitui were totally outplayed in the first half as Lukenya sunk 25 points without a reply.

They scored 31 points against Kitui’s 16 in the second half proving why they have dominated Machakos County and Eastern region for years.

In Western, Namawanga Girls High School from Bungoma announced their arrival on the regional girls’ hockey scene with a 1-0 win against Kakamega’s Musali Girls High School at Mundika Primary School.

In another encounter, national champions Tigoi Girls from Vihiga launched their title defence with a 2-0 victory against Busia’s St Austin Kingandole Secondary School. This was not the start the home girls, who are seeking to secure their first appearance at the National Term One games, wished for.

In the boys’ contest, former national and East Africa champions Friends School Kamusinga from Bungoma beat Busia champions Kolanya Boys High School 2-1, while Vihiga’s Nyang’ori Boys High School dismissed Butere Boys from Bungoma 1-0.

National and East Africa champions Musingu High School thrashed Kaimosi Boys High School 4-0.

In Mombasa, there were no surprises as Coast Region reigning champions began their title defence on a winning note.

Marafa Secondary School from Kilifi defeated Tononoka Secondary School from Mombasa 21-7 in boys’ rugby 15s. Their Kilifi compatriots Jaribuni Secondary School beat Changamwe School 23-8.

Hockey champions St Charles Lwanga had a good day in office winning bother their girls and boys opening matches.

The girls side edged out Matuga Girls 1-0 in Group A, while the boys thumped Minyenzeni Secondary School 4-0.

Hassan Abdi was the star of the match bagging a hattrick with Robinson Githua adding the fourth goal. Miriam Wesonga netted the girls winning goal against Matuga.

In handball, holders Moi Forces Academy Mombasa held the nerve to beat Taita Taveta County’s Mwatate 8-7 while Kaya Tiwi from Kwale sent a strong warning by defeating Witu Mjini School from Lamu County 17-01.