Battle royale as Upper Hill, Laiser Hill clash in basketball final

Kisumu Day's Joshua Ngile (left) drives to the basket under pressure from Elvis Ssentongo of Laiser Hill during their Brookside National Secondary Schools Term One Games semi-final match at State House Girls on April 14, 2017. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |

What you need to know:

  • In the girls' final, champions Kaya Tiwi play St Brigids Kiminini in what is expected to be a closely contested match.
  • There will be a new hockey girls' champions as Misikhu play newcomers St Joseph's Kitale while St Anthony's Kitale face Upper Hill in the boys' final.
  • Laiser Hill coach Anthony Kirimi is looking to exact revenge on their nemesis.

It will be battle royale as nemesis Upper Hill and Laiser Hill lock horns in the basketball final as the Brookside National Secondary Schools Term One Secondary School Games come to a close at State House Girls on Saturday.

In the girls' final, champions Kaya Tiwi play St Brigids Kiminini in what is expected to be a closely contested match.

There will be a new hockey girls' champions as Misikhu play newcomers St Joseph's Kitale while St Anthony's Kitale face Upper Hill in the boys' final.

St. Cecilia Misikhu Girls hockey team players celebrate their victory over Sinyolo Girls their Brookside National Secondary Schools Term One Games semi-final match at State House Girls on April 14, 2017. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |

St. Cecilia Misikhu Girls hockey team players wheel away in celebration after their victory over Sinyolo Girls their Brookside National Secondary Schools Term One Games semi-final match at State House Girls on April 14, 2017. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |


All eyes will however be on the Upper Hill versus Laiser Hill clash. Champions Upper Hill beat Nyeri Baptist 67-37, while Laiser Hill were 69-50 winners over Kisumu Boys in the semi-finals on Friday.

Upper Hill are looking for their fourth national crown while Laiser are out to reclaim the title they lost to Upper Hill in 2012.

It is the dream final most fans had hoped for and the teams' coaches have promised to deliver a cracking affair.

"I think every match we played in this competition has been a build up to this final which promises to be a top drawer. We have beaten them in previous matches but tomorrow’s final is a whole new ball game," Upper Hill coach Ronald Omangi said.

TITLE IN SIGHT

Laiser Hill coach Anthony Kirimi is looking to exact revenge on their nemesis.

"Fans will definitely enjoy this match between the top two sides at the competition and we are confident of reclaiming our title," he said.

Since the 2012 loss, the teams have met four times with Upper Hill winning all encounters.

Upper Hill will bank on point guard Riek Machuol and skipper Deng Garang to lead them against Laiser. Machuol sunk 14 points against Nyeri with Garang chipping in 10 points.

Laiser on the other hand had to dig deep in the last two quarters to overcome a battling Nyeri Baptist side. Nyeri were undone by impressive displays from Laiser skipper Sheldon Ouma who scored a game high 21 points.

In the girls' final, Kaya Tiwi will be wary of a St Brigids side who have impressed so far the competition. Kaya Tiwi beat Buru Buru 34-21 as St Brigids overcame former winners Tigoi Girls 52-37 in the semis.

"We are back in the final after a two-year absence and we are proud of our performances so far. Kaya Tiwi are favourites but we have the belief that we can win it," St Brigids coach Eric Wasike said.

In girls' hockey, 2009 winners Misikhu upset defending champions Sinyolo Girls 2-1 on post-match penalty shootouts as St Joseph's Kitale hit Moi Girls Nairobi 1-0 in the other semi-final.

Unbeaten St Joseph's start as favourites having defeated Misikhu 3-0 in the preliminary stage on Thursday.

St Anthony's renew their rivalry with Upper Hill for the boys' crown. The teams played out a 2-2 thriller in the group stages and fireworks are expected in Saturday's encounter.

Upper Hill boys' hockey team players chant their anthem after edging out Dr Ribeiro Parklands 2-0 during their Brookside National Secondary Schools Term One Games semi-final match at State House Girls on April 14, 2017. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |

Upper Hill exacted revenge on Dr Ribiero Parklands, beating them 2-0 in Friday's semi-final as St Anthony's crushed 1996 winners Kisumu Day 5-0 in the other last four match.