Basketball in Africa

Former Nairobi Province and National Schools Champions, St Austin's Academy edged out rivals Nairobi Jaffrey's Academy 67-57 in thrilling Nairobi Secondary Schools Sports Association-NSSSA boys' basketball finals game played at Lenana School on Saturday. David Ogola put St Austin's up 2-0 after 30 seconds of play. However, the lead was short lived as David Sinda sunk back-to-back 3-pointers to give Jaffery's an 11-4 lead. As the game settled down, Austins recovered through Stephen Kivoto and Charles Okoth to tie the game at 11-11 with three minutes remaining in the first quarter. Sinda teamed up with Joseph Odhiambo and Austin Mbega to give Jaffery's a 16-13 advantage as the first quarter came to an end. The second quarter was full of action as St Austin's came all fired up as Jaffery's fought back to stay afloat. Jaffery's, under Coach Gabriel Ingotsi, had its trio of Evans Omondi, David Sinda and Collins Maiteri combine well to give their team a 26-20 lead midway through the quarter, prompting Austin's Coach David Maina to call for a time out. On resumption, Austin's trio of Kevin Samora, Chidi Antoine, and David Ogola showed cased their prowess as they turned the tables around, taking a narrow 30-29 lead with 2:30 to the half, before Charles Okoth made it 34-29 at the break. Austin 's outscored Jaffery's 21-13 in this quarter. St Austin's maintained their form inside 15-seconds of play in the third quarter after a Chidi-Dunk. Jaffery's recovered through Evans Omondi and Lenous Mbega to come within a point (37-38) with 6:30 to go. Both teams then traded baskets at both ends, with Evans Omondi dunking to tie the game at 39-39, and again at 41-41 with 4-minutes remaining in the quarter. Once again, Austin 's trio of Samora, Ogola, and Chidi combined well to take a 51-42 lead, before Samora made it 54-42 after hitting a 3-pointer on the buzzer. The final quarter was dominated by St Austins through Ogola, Kyale Mwenda and Chidi, despite Jaffery's outscoring them 15-13 through Sinda, Collins Maiteri and Samuel Odunga, putting the scores at 67-57 as the final whistle was blown. Kevin Samora bagged 23 points and a second consecutive NSSSA MVP award, as team-mates David Ogola added 19, Charles Okoth 15 and Antoine Chidi 10 points for St Austin's, while David Sinda managed 17 points, Evans Omondi 16 and Collins Maiteri 10 for Nairobi Jaffery's Academy.

St Austin's Winning Team:
Kevin Samora, Julius Mbewe, Kevin Kamau, Kyale Mwenda, David Ogola, Stephen Kivoto, Charles Okoth, Bosco Nkunzimana, Gilbert Muhoro, Junior Inoncensio, Chidi Antoine, Curtis Matu. Coach David Maina
Boys Awards:

1. St Austin's Academy
2. Nairobi Jaffery's Academy
3. Starehe Boys vs. St Austins Academy
4. Upper Hill School vs. Nairobi Jaffery's Academy

Most Valuable Player: Kevin Samora:- St Austin's Academy

Girls Awards:

1. St Georges Secondary School-Nairobi
2. Buru Buru Girls High School
3. Moi Girls School Nairobi
4. Pangani Girls High School

Most Valuable Player: Janet Okoth:- St Georges Secondary School

From http://alsabasketball.com