Upsets characterized term one secondary school games in various counties in Nyanza.
In Kisii County, hosts Kisii School upset four-time champions Nyanchwa Boys 66-64 to win the boys' basketball title in a tension-packed match.
Kisii School, enjoying the support of home supporters including Principal Fred Mogaka, led 13-11 in the first quarter.
They extended their lead to 20-16 and 16-11 in the second and third quarters respectively.
Kisii survived a late onslaught from Nyanchwa led by Solomon Matawa in the fourth quarter losing 26-17 but it was too little, too late.
Kisii had lost to Nyanchwa in three consecutive county finals. “We worked on the boys’ confidence and mentality. That is what has been lacking,” said Gilbert Okumu, the Kisii School coach.
In the girls’ category, St Angela’s Sengera, coached by Midenga Bernard edged Kereri Girls 47-17, to retain the title.
Kisii School also reigned supreme in rugby 15’s after seeing off defending champions Nduru Boys 18-0.
Joseph Gitoi, Teddy Okundu, and John Obiri scored unconverted tries with Edwin Omari wrapping up the scores with a penalty.
Nduru Boys, coached by Faith Jebet retained the hockey title for the third consecutive year. They beat Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho 1-0 in the final. Dennis Omari scored the all-important goal. Kereri Girls won the girls’ title after a 1-0 win over holders Amaiko.
Nduru also reclaimed the boys' handball title after a shock 25-20 win over defending champions Ndonyo mixed. Ndonyo, however, retained the girls' title after besting Omobera 19-14 in the finals.
In Homa Bay, former Nyanza region champions Agoro Sare beat Ototo 47-32 to retain their title.
“It was a very tight final but I’m happy we prevailed. We now turn our focus to the regionals,” said Agoro Sare coach Paul Odock.
In the girls’ category, Asumbi Girls reclaimed their title after upsetting regional champions Ototo 21-13 in a closely contested match.
Homa Bay School beat Agoro Sare 13-3 to claim the rugby 15’s title while Orero Boys bagged the handball title after a narrow 12-10 win over Otaro. Miranga lifted the girls’ handball title after a comprehensive 23-12 win over Sindo Girls.
Ringa Boys and Anding’o Girls retained the hockey titles. Ringa Boys beat former regional champions Homa Bay Boys 2-0 in the final while Anding’o narrowly edged Ambassador Pamela Mboya 1-0 in the final.
In Nyamira County, Nyansiongo High School clinched the boys’ basketball title. Nyansiongo beat Nyambaria 41-13 in the final. In the girls’ category, Manga Girls thrashed Rigoma 43-7 in a one-sided final.
St Paul’s Gekano bagged the boys’ handball title after beating Ikonge 20-0 while the girls’ title went to Ikonge, who beat Kenyoro 5-3 in the final.
St Paul’s Gekano also triumphed in the rugby 15’s title after a 12-0 win over Nyansabakwa.