Onjiko, Nyamira and Maseno rule Nyanza games

Onjiko High School basketball player (left) in action against Agoro Sare during their Nyanza regional secondary school games final match in Kisii yesterday. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Onjiko High School, Nyamira Girls, Maseno School and Kisii School were declared champions as the Nyanza regional secondary school Term One games ended yesterday in Kisii.

Kisumu County champions Onjiko retained their basketball title after edging out Agoro Sare 84-61 in the finals.

Speaking after their win, Onjiko head coach Joseph Were said they were sure of returning to the national games set for April 23 in Eldoret.

Were said their earlier 84-27 win against the Homa Bay County champions gave them confidence that they can topple them again.

"It's a good day for Onjiko High School. Those who doubted us now know that it was no fluke when we emerged champions last year in Asumbi. Onjiko's dominance in Nyanza has just started," said Were.

"Many people have been asking where Onjiko have come from? The right question should be who is Onjiko's basketball coach? There is no cheating but only passion, basketball investment and experience at the championships."

Were previously coached national champions Nangina Girls, Friends School Kamusinga and Sigalame Boys.

In the girls' category, Ototo Mixed from Homa Bay County retained their crown after thrashing rivals Barchando Girls 47-24 in the finals.

Ototo had lost 39-31 to Barchando in their Group A match.

In hockey, Nyamira Girls also defended their title after narrowly seeing off Agenga Mixed from Migori 1-0.

Vivian Akinyi scored the solitary goal in the second quarter to send the multiple-time Siaya County champions to the nationals.

Lwak Girls from Siaya County defeated Sinyolo Girls 1-0 to finish third in the playoffs match played at Cardinal Otunga, Mosocho.

Maseno School on the other hand were crowned new Nyanza champions after silencing Nduru Boys from Kisii 1-0. Alex Maranka scored the only goal of the match for the Kisumu County champions.

Kisumu Day finished third after thrashing Cardinal Otunga 3-0 in the playoffs.

In rugby, Kisii School dethroned Maseno School to be crowned champions after winning 10-8 in a high-tempered final.

Maseno School walked out of the match with five minutes left on the clock citing poor officiating.

In handball, Miranga and Manyatta were crowned girls and boys' champions respectively. Miranga saw off Ulanda 26-23 as Manyatta thumped Orero 24-16.

In Western region, Butula Boys were declared the rugby 15s champions after overcoming Vihiga High 12-7 in the final.

Butula reached the final after their opponents Koyonzo Secondary School were disqualified after being accused of fielding an ineligible player in the semis. They had won the match 12- 6.

Quinto Omusugu, Western Region Secondary School Sports Association Secretary, said Koyonzo were sent packing after a successful appeal by Butula Boys .

Koyonzo is accused of fielding a player who was transferred from another school but had not completed the recommended 90 days in his new school in total contravention of the Kenya Secondary School Sports Association rules.

As has been the norm, only students who have stayed in their respective schools for at least 90 days prior to the official commencement of the term one games (at Zonal level) will be eligible for participation.