Basketball in Africa

MSA HIGH HUMBLE TIGOI FOR 4TH TITLE

Beatrice Awino was unstoppable within the paint as Mombasa Girls High School (Coast province) humbled Tigoi Girls (Western Province) 82-30 to retain the girls title. Mombasa were out for serious business from the tip-off, taking a commanding 24-10 lead after the first quarter, before Awino combined well will guard Brenda Wasuda to extend the lead to 44-18 at the break. The second half wasn’t any different with the Awino-Wasuda duo punishing the Tigoi defense to take a 65-26 third quarter lead. Mombasa held Tigoi to only 4points in the last quarter, as the got a huge 82-30 win.Wasuda added 22 points for the coastal girls, while hardworking Yvonne Mshedni led Tigoi with 15 points
In the semis, Mombasa High were in a class of their own, whipping Raliew Girls from Nyanza Province 129-30, while Tigoi were stretched to the limit before edging out Menengai High from Rift Valley 85-71. Menengai hit Raliew 58-39 to take the third position.

LAISER OUTCLASS AQUINAS FOR BOYS TITLE

After ending as runners-up 3-years in a row, Laiser Hill Academy broke the jinx, outclassing Aquinas High School 56-33 to clinch the boys title for the first time. Former champions, Aquinas High were off to a superb start, taking a 9-3 first quarter lead after good shooting from Kamau and Ken Samora. However, that was short-lived as their former shooting guard, turned Laiser Hill point-man, Richard Dong, sunk back –to-back 3-pointers to give Laiser Hill a 17-12 lead, and never looked back as they went up 21-20 at the break. Laiser Hill maintained their form in the third quarter, stretching the lead to 39-25 as Aquinas struggled to keep up. The final quarter saw Laiser Hill hold Aquinas scoreless for 5-minutes as they went up 45-25 through gift Nyongesa, Leonel Mayake and Dong.Nyongesa and Mayake combined well in the final 2 minutes to seal Laiser’s victory at 56-33. in the semis, Laiser Hill fought to the last second before edging out high flying Friends School Kamusinga from Western 98-94 in an explosive tie that had 7 dunks. Aquinas defeated Mangu High School form Central 45-37 to book a finals spot. Kamusinga Tigers mauled Mangu 68-48 for the third position.
Laiser Hill, Aquinas, and Kamusinga all qualified to represent the country in the East Africa High school games in Dar es Salaam Tanzania later in the year. Laisr Hill Academy is the defending champions.