St Joseph Girls Kitale and St Joseph Boys Kitale are the new KSSSA national basketball 3x3 champions.
St Joseph Girls dethroned Ototo Mixed Secondary School who failed to qualify for the nationals to defend the title they won last year after seeing off Butere Girls High School 13-12 in a close basket defeat.
Joy Nyayual who was voted the Most Valuable player was instrumental for the Rift Valley champions who despite trailing recovered to edge out Butere Girls who are also the national Term One basketball champions.
“Patience is a virtue. I am glad the girls never gave up in the match despite the pull and push from Butere, who have talented players. This win is big for us because we will not only be going to Uganda but proceeding as champions. We give thanks to God,” said St Joseph Girls coach Patrice Kisaka.
In the boy’s final, a last gasp two-pointer at the buzzer sent the Rift Valley fans wild on the court when St Joseph Boys stunned defending champions 16-14 in the final play of the game.
Tied at 14-14, St Joseph Boys needed a basket to win the game with four seconds left on the clock, a basket they got when a shot beyond the three-point arc went as the Rift Valley heavyweights dethroned Onjiko.
St Joseph’s Boys Kitale basketball team celebrates after beating Onjiko Secondary school players during their match at Kisii School. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]
Speaking after the win, St Joseph Boys coach Herman Masafu congratulated his boys for believing until the last minute despite exchanging leads during the 10-minute final.
“Mental strength of the boys was key for us and I want to congratulate every player for doing their job on the court. We celebrate fruits of hard work and await East Africa now,” said Masafu.
Despite losing the finals, Onjiko will still proceed to the East Africa games to be held in Mbale, Uganda later this month alongside Friends School Kamusinga.
St Joseph’s Boys Kitale basketball team in action against Onjiko Secondary school players during their match at Kisii School. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]
Kamusinga saw off Sawagongo 20-17 in the third place playoffs to book their ticket to Mbale.
In the girl’s category, Butere Girls and Nasokol will join St Joseph Girls in Uganda. Nasokol finished third after seeing off Raila Education Center 10-6.
In rugby, St Mary’s School Yala, Kisii School, Vihiga High School and Friends School Bwake are all through to the East Africa games.
This is after all four qualified for the semis with four teams guaranteed a spot in Uganda.
At the same time, St Joseph Girls Kitale, Kinale, Nyagichenche and St Teresas have also qualified for East Africa finals.
KSSSA National Games
Basketball 3x3
Girls
Champions-St Joseph Girls Kitale
St Joseph Girls 13-12 Butere Girls
MVP-Joy Nyayual (St Joseph)
Qualified to Est Africa-St Joseph, Butere and Nasokol
Boys
Champions-St Joseph Boys Kitale
St Joseph Boys 16-14 Onjiko High School
Qualified to East Africa-St Joseph, Onjiko and FS Kamusinga
Joy Nyayual of St Joseph Girls Kitale basketball team.[KSSSA Media]