SCHOOLS: How Dr Aggrey and Butere Girls dribbled to glory in Machakos

Butere Girls' Chelsea Adhiambo (left) and Mariam Nangare of Kayatiwi Secondary School during Kenya Secondary Schools sports Association basketball semifinal match Term One games in Machakos County. April 12, 2024. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Dr. Aggrey High School and Butere Girls High School showcased their prowess and determination in basketball, emerging as champions in the Brookside Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national basketball finals held at Machakos Boys High School.

Dr. Aggrey clinched the title after a nail-biting final against Agoro Sare from Nyanza on Saturday, securing victory with a slim 56-54 margin.

This victory marks a triumphant return for Dr. Aggrey, who sought to reclaim the national title they lost to Laiser Hill High School the previous year.

Their journey to victory was not without challenges, as they faced formidable opponents from the Nyanza region in the preliminary rounds.

Basketball boys Champion Dr Aggrey High School during Kenya Secondary Schools sports Association Term One games in Machakos County. April 13, 2024. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

However, Dr. Aggrey displayed resilience and determination throughout the tournament, culminating in a decisive performance in the final.

Principal Robert Aran expressed the significance of this win for Dr. Aggrey High School, stating, “This victory means a lot to us as a school.

“It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students and coaching staff. We are immensely proud of their achievement and look forward to representing our school and region in the upcoming East Africa finals.”

Looking ahead, Aran outlined plans to regroup and prepare for the East Africa finals scheduled to take place in Uganda.

He emphasised the importance of settling the team before beginning intensive preparation, ensuring that they are mentally and physically prepared to compete at the highest level.

Basketball champions Butere Girls celebrate during Kenya Secondary Schools sports Association Term One games in Machakos County. April 13, 2024. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Meanwhile, in the girls’ category, Butere Girls High School asserted their dominance by retaining the national title in a thrilling final against Buruburu Girls.

Despite a challenging start that saw Buruburu take an early lead in the first quarter, Butere staged a remarkable comeback, ultimately emerging victorious with a final score of 49-43.

Coach Chris Odeke reflected on the team’s performance, expressing his pride in their ability to overcome adversity and secure victory for the second consecutive year.

“Retaining the title is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our players. They showed great resilience and teamwork throughout the tournament, and I couldn’t be prouder of their achievement,” Odeke said.

Butere Girls Basketball Captain Loise Zakia celebrate with school officials after beating Kayatiwi Secondary School during Kenya Secondary Schools sports Association Rugby match Term One games in Machakos County. April 12, 2024. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Butere Girls’ victory serves as a testament to their skill and determination, reaffirming their status as one of the powerhouse teams in Kenyan girls’ basketball. With their eyes set on further success, Butere Girls will now shift their focus to the East Africa finals, where they aim to showcase their talent on a regional stage.

As both Dr. Aggrey High School and Butere Girls High School celebrate their triumph, they serve as inspiration to aspiring athletes across the country, demonstrating the rewards of hard work, perseverance, and teamwork in the pursuit of excellence in sports.