Basketball in Africa

By SAMMY KITULA

The national secondary schools Term One games will return to Western Province after a seven-year break.
The games which include basketball and hockey will be held at either Mumias or Kakamega in April.
According to the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) assistant fixture secretary George Omondi, an AGM planned for next week will decide on the venue.
“The national games will be held in Western Province in either Kakamega or Mumias. It is after our AGM to be held early next month, that we will be able to settle for the town,” said Omondi.

First title of the season

Term Two ‘A’ finals (athletics, rugby 15s and handball) will be held in Meru, while Nairobi will play host the Term 2B edition comprising football, volleyball and racket games.
At the same time, National Talent Academy centre, Upper Hill Secondary School won their first title of the season, beating Starehe Boys Centre 38-12 in the Nairobi Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) basketball Open on Sunday.

In the girls’ category visitors, Shimba Hills from Kwale stunned Buruburu 30-25 in a come-from-behind victory.

Both teams began strongly, with offence prevailing over defence for both sides. Upper Hill’s ‘Twin towers’ Tony Majok and Philip Dot (both with seven points) began strongly, as the hosts’ fast break got into gear early.

But it was the Shimba ‘A’ versus Buruburu final, which will be forever etched in the visitors’ minds. After trailing from the opening whistle, Shimba Hill produced one of those memorable comebacks with only 56 seconds leftto deny Buruburu.