Agoro Sare shock powerhouse Maseno to bag basketball title

Agoro Sare Boys arguably put up a fight of their lives to floor regional giants Maseno School 56-54 to emerge as new Nyanza region basketball champions in a riveting boys’ played at Homa Bay High School on Wednesday.

Having lost by a basket in last year’s final to this year’s third place finishers Ambira High School, the Lake Region champions had their work cut out right from the tip-off, and a win by a similar margin could only get sweeter for them.

They surged ahead 22-19 by half time in a closely contested first half to underline their ambition in this year’s competitions.

Maseno School were left to rue their poor free throw shooting having squandered numerous chances to go ahead when both teams were tied in the fourth quarter.

Maseno played catch-ups throughout the game thereby underlining how the smaller teams in the region have bridged the gap between them and the supposed giants in recent years.

The turning point for Maseno came in the fourth quarter with the game at 1:35. Having knocked down a three-pointer gap to restore parity, they failed to box-out properly allowing Agoro Sare to hit home the all-important lay-up.

From then on they chased the game as Agoro Sare maintained their cool to emerge victorious at the third time of asking.

Head coach Paul Odok is happy that his players have come of age having lost by the same margin last year.

“This is a sweet victory for us since we have been chasing the crown for three years. We lost last year’s final by a basket to Ambira Boys and it was very painful for everyone involved.

He went on: “However, we have managed to win by the same margin which is very satisfying. We want to win the national championships in Mombasa and dominate in the coming years.”

Odok’ next priority is to fair well at the nationals and make the cut to represent Kenya in the East Africa Games.

“Our aim is to qualify for the East African Championships for the first time and probably dominate the Kenyan basketball game in the near future,” he said. “This is just but a foundation since there are only three form fours in the team. The rest will remain and we will aim to build a good team around them.”

 Summary of the winners

Rugby 15s-Maseno School

Rugby 7s-Agoro Sare

Hockey Boys-Homa Bay High School

Hockey Girls-Nyamira Girls

Basketball Girls-Barchando Girls High School

Basketball Boys-Agoro Sare High School