SCHOOLS: Onjiko, Butere Girls make basketball 3x3 semis

Mbooni Boys basket ball players against Laiser Academy players during National Secondary School games at Kisii School.(Sammy Omingo, Standard)

National champions Onjiko High School are two wins away from retaining their crown after storming the semifinals of the KSSSA basketball 3x3 currently ongoing in Kisii.

The Nyanza champions saw off Sigalame 21-7 in the quarterfinals to make the last four as they seek to return to East Africa after last year’s debut.

Onjiko head coach Joseph Were praised his team but played down the favorites tag as he believes in playing a game at a time.

“It’s been a good show for us in the games. We have not lost a match yet and we are going for the title again. It won’t be easy but the boys are ready to put their bodies on the line to fight for our glory,” said Onjiko coach Joseph Were.

Siaya County’s Sawagongo High School also made it to the semis after stunning Dagoretti 21-15 while St Joseph Boys defeated Machakos 21-10. Kamusinga also knocked out Laiser Hill 15-8.

Onjiko will renew their rivalry with Sawagongo High School in the semis in what will be a repeat of the Nyanza Region finals.

The other semis will see Kamusinga play St Joseph Boys.

In basketball girls, Raila Education Center stunned Kaya Tiwi 11-7 while Nasokol saw off Mbitini 21-9. At the same time, Butere Girls knocked out Nyakach Girls 17-13 while St Jospeh Girls defeated Ng’iya Girls 13-11.

Butere will face off against Raila Education while Nasokol play St Joseph Girls Kitale as the battle for the vacant national title intensifies. Defending champions Ototo Mixed from Homa Bay did not make it to the nationals leave alone the Nyanza Regional finals last month.

In volleyball, defending champions Kesogon will face Lugulu Girls in the semifinals of the girls matches as they bid to retain their national glory.

East African champions Kwanthanze will play Soweto from Nairobi in the other semifinal.

In boys’ volleyball, Hospital Hill will play Namwela while Cheptil face off against newbies Nyabondo from Nyanza.