Agoro Sare High School hope to reach the semi-finals at the 21st edition of the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) in Mbale, Uganda, next week.
They will open their basketball campaign against Uganda’s Amus College on Monday.
Coach Paul Odok said: “We will use the championship to gain experience ahead of next year. We intend to take one game at a time and hopefully, get a top-four slot,” said Odok.
Odok guided the team to second place in April's National Championships in Machakos. Dr Aggrey narrowly edged Agoro Sare 56-54 to reclaim the national title.
Agoro Sare are drawn in a tough Pool ‘A’ alongside Uganda’s Amus College and Hope Secondary and International Technical School Gasogi from Rwanda.
Pool ‘B’ will feature Kenyan giants national champions Dr Aggrey, Laiser Hill Academy, Tanzania’s Juhudi, and Uganda's defending champions Buddo and Janan School.
“Being our first-ever appearance at the regional showpiece, I don’t want to set unrealistic targets for the boys,” added Odok.
Laiser Hill will take on Janan School in the opening game on Monday while Dr Aggrey will face Buddo Secondary.
In the girls’ category, Kenya’s Buruburu will cross paths with Orkeeswa from Tanzania, Nabisunsa, and regional champions St Mary’s Kitende (Uganda) in Pool ‘A’.
In Pool ‘B’ Kenya national champions Butere Girls and former champions Kaya Tiwi will be up against Marie Riene Rwaza from Rwanda and Uganda’s St Noa Girls.
Buruburu will open their campaign against Nabisunsa on Monday while Butere will meet St Noa Girls.
In netball, Kenyan champions Oyugi Ogango have been drawn in a tough Pool ‘A’ which boosts Tanzania’s Dr Samia, G.S Gahini (Rwanda), Buddo and Kawanda (Uganda).
Kenya’s Bumala AC and Andersen Secondary are in Pool ‘B’ alongside Tanzania’s Luzoto Secondary, St. Mary’s Kitende and St Noah Girls (Uganda).
Teams from Uganda have dominated the event but the Kenyan teams are eager to dethrone them.
Oyugi Ogango will launch their bid for the elusive title when they battle Uganda’s Buddo on Monday while Andersen will face a baptism of fire against defending champions St Mary’s Kitende (Uganda).