Basketball queens Sirakaru now target East Africa trophy

When Sirakaru Salvation Army Secondary School debuted at the KSSSA National games last year, the basketball 3x3 team was naive and quite inexperienced.

Despite transitioning from the preliminary stages, their journey ended at the quarterfinals when they met giants Kaya Tiwi Secondary School from Coast.

A seventh-place finish was what the little-known Bungoma County outfit could master, as they watched from the sidelines when their counterparts in the top three celebrated qualifying for the East African games that were played in Uganda.

A year later, Sirakaru are back, this time in unbeaten form. Led by the workaholic tactician Wycliffe Baraza, Sirakaru have not lost a match since the Term Two games began at the sub county.

In fact, they are the Bungoma County champions for the second year running and are fresh from dethroning Butere Girls after being crowned the new queens of basketball 3x3 at the Western region finals held in Mumias three weeks ago.

Speaking to Standard Sports, Baraza said their target is to qualify for the East African Games.

Baraza said they have prepared well by playing local clubs from their locality to gauge themselves and after last year’s quarterfinal exit, they want to get to the finals.

“We learnt from last year’s debut that we must be clinical and fast because 3x3 is a game of speed and instinct finishing. These girls have given their all from the sub county and now we head to the nationals with our heads held high,” said Baraza.

Sirakaru captain Robai Ndomdi added that her dream would be to help her team claim the national trophy.

“Winning is sweet. After lifting the county and regional titles, the one that we want the most is the national trophy. We are ready for the challenge this year and let nobody write us off,” said Ndomdi.

Teams will arrive in Kakamega from Sunday and pooling for basketball 3x3 will be done on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's tip off.