09 February 2008
KENYA : St Austins Thrash Nairobi School in Basketball
by Sammy Kitula
Nairobi
Just when Nairobi School thought they had finally hit rock bottom, along came more indignity in their backyard in the ongoing Nairobi Secondary Schools Association boys' basketball championship.
Kevin Samora scored 18 points while Charles Omondi added another 16 as St. Austin's thrashed them 66-36 on Thursday night.
The five-time national champions, who are also the Nairobi Province's defending champions, jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first quarter and wound up the first half leading 32-14.
"We played a very relaxed game. The hosts didn't give us any formidable challenge. We knew that we would win anyway, since they (Nairobi School) have never defeated us in the past," said St. Austin's coach David Maina.
Turnovers
Indeche Aturaya scored 14 points and Dennis Shikutwa had 13 points and 5 rebounds for the hosts, who committed numerous turnovers as they trailed St. Austin's by 30 points at fulltime.
And afterwards, head coach Martin Mungai simply seemed at a loss for answers.
"It was a very difficult match, bearing in mind that our opponents are the defending champions. We committed numerous turnovers that cost us the victory, but all in all, it was a good experience for us.
We are full of optimism as the league has just began," said head coach, Martin Mungai.
The victors led 56-19 after three quarters before going up 66-36 on the buzzer.
"We executed offensively, hit some shots," said Maina. "Defensively we did a decent job in the first quarter and from there we just kept the pressure on them," he added.
This was St. Austin's' second win in three days, after they saw off Sunshine High school 114-14 in a one-sided duel on Monday. The playing surface didn't make matters any better as players from both sides took caution of the court that was slippery after a heavy downpour.
Maina says that he is keen to guide his team to claim the national helm, after faltering during last year's edition.
The nine-time Provincial champions will be gunning to bag the national title for a record sixth time.
"We must do all it takes to get back at the helm. We have had thorough training and I'm sure our preparations won't be in futility," he said.
Girls basketball
In the meantime, the NSSA girls' basketball championship gets underway today at Railway grounds. 16 teams are expected to take part in this year's season.
Speaking on Friday, NSSSA basketball secretary, Peter Manundu said that they had delayed the starting of the girls' matches due to the few entries they had received in this category.
"The girls' teams are fewer compared to the boys and that's the reason why we are starting a week late. Boys have 32 teams while their counterparts have only 16," said Manundu.
Contrary to the boys' league which is played during the week, the girls' matches will only take place during weekends.
Expected teams include St. George's High school, Precious Blood Riruta, Moi Nairobi Girls High school and Buruburu Girls High school among others.
Nairobi
Just when Nairobi School thought they had finally hit rock bottom, along came more indignity in their backyard in the ongoing Nairobi Secondary Schools Association boys' basketball championship.
Kevin Samora scored 18 points while Charles Omondi added another 16 as St. Austin's thrashed them 66-36 on Thursday night.
The five-time national champions, who are also the Nairobi Province's defending champions, jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first quarter and wound up the first half leading 32-14.
"We played a very relaxed game. The hosts didn't give us any formidable challenge. We knew that we would win anyway, since they (Nairobi School) have never defeated us in the past," said St. Austin's coach David Maina.
Turnovers
Indeche Aturaya scored 14 points and Dennis Shikutwa had 13 points and 5 rebounds for the hosts, who committed numerous turnovers as they trailed St. Austin's by 30 points at fulltime.
And afterwards, head coach Martin Mungai simply seemed at a loss for answers.
"It was a very difficult match, bearing in mind that our opponents are the defending champions. We committed numerous turnovers that cost us the victory, but all in all, it was a good experience for us.
We are full of optimism as the league has just began," said head coach, Martin Mungai.
The victors led 56-19 after three quarters before going up 66-36 on the buzzer.
"We executed offensively, hit some shots," said Maina. "Defensively we did a decent job in the first quarter and from there we just kept the pressure on them," he added.
This was St. Austin's' second win in three days, after they saw off Sunshine High school 114-14 in a one-sided duel on Monday. The playing surface didn't make matters any better as players from both sides took caution of the court that was slippery after a heavy downpour.
Maina says that he is keen to guide his team to claim the national helm, after faltering during last year's edition.
The nine-time Provincial champions will be gunning to bag the national title for a record sixth time.
"We must do all it takes to get back at the helm. We have had thorough training and I'm sure our preparations won't be in futility," he said.
Girls basketball
In the meantime, the NSSA girls' basketball championship gets underway today at Railway grounds. 16 teams are expected to take part in this year's season.
Speaking on Friday, NSSSA basketball secretary, Peter Manundu said that they had delayed the starting of the girls' matches due to the few entries they had received in this category.
"The girls' teams are fewer compared to the boys and that's the reason why we are starting a week late. Boys have 32 teams while their counterparts have only 16," said Manundu.
Contrary to the boys' league which is played during the week, the girls' matches will only take place during weekends.
Expected teams include St. George's High school, Precious Blood Riruta, Moi Nairobi Girls High school and Buruburu Girls High school among others.
# posted by afrbk : 10:37
