Sigalame, Butere retain Western Games basketball titles

Sigalame Boys and Butere Girls retained their Western Region School Games basketball titles after winning their respective finals on Thursday at Friends College Kaimosi.

Busia County’s Sigalame from defeated Friends School Kamusinga 59-48 in the boys’ final while Butere of Kakamega County routed bitter rivals Tigoi Girls 60-42 in the girls category.

Sigalame’s triumph marked their fourth straight title win, leaving the school principal Joseph Were – who doubles up as head coach – over the moon.

“It has been a tough and competitive championship as you all know western region is home of talents. Our competitor of the day Kamusinga are known for basketball and they don’t easily lose a game. I believe we are going to do great at the national level,” Were said.

Team captain Charles Kiragu congratulated his teammates for the job well done and put his bet on them to succeed in the national competitions.

Butere went 19-11 down to Tigoi in the opening quarter but they hit back with 24-11, 10-8 and 15-7 wins in the subsequent quarters to hand Tigoi a second successive loss in finals against the same opposition.

Butere head coach Mukabi George attributed the win to hard work saying their focus is now on the national championship that will be held in Mombasa in April.

“We know we will get tough competition from Kaya Tiwi in the national championship but we are ready for them since we now know how they play and we have confidence we shall defeat them and win the trophy and represent the country in the East Africa championship that will be held in Tanzania,” Mukabi said.

On her side team captain Elizabeth Ajiambo said it wasn’t easy but due to the kind of training they have been having it has enabled them to win promising for a win at the national level.

In handball, Kimilili Boys and Moi Girls Kamusinga also successfully defended their titles.

Kimilili from Bungoma County defeated their counterparts Toroso 28-17 to lift the title while Moi Girls Kamusinga hammered Mukumu Girls 18-7 to win the girls category in finals played at Ivona grounds.

In hockey, new champions emerged in both boys’ and girls’ categories with Kamusinga dethroning Musingu via shootouts while Misikhu saw off Nangili 3-0 in the girls final.

The championship comes to an end on Thursday with final of  rugby 15 aside expected between defending champions Kakamega and Koyonzo all from Kakamega County.