at Shanzu Teachers Training College, on April 11, 2025. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]
Former East Africa basketball champions Laiser Hill Academy yesterday defeated compatriots Lukenya Boys High School 57-45 in a Group B match of the ongoing Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) games here in Kakamega.
The victory saw the seven-time East Africa winners maintain their unbeaten run and enhance their chances of reclaiming the title they last won in 2012.
Laiser Hill top Group B with six points and only need to win today against Uganda’s St Cyprian High School Kyabakadde of Uganda to book their last four slot
Lukenya’s Dominic Yor scored a match high 16 points but his effort was not good enough to save his side from suffering their first defeat.
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Tyrel Ian top scored for Laiser Hill with 15 points, while Alor Deng sunk 12 to help their side chalk their third win.
Lukenya settled in the match first to take the first quarter 15-12 before stretching their lead to 31-23 at half-time.
On resumption, Laiser Hill showed some improvement to take the fourth quarter 12-10 and reduce the gap to six points. It was in the fourth quarter that reigning national champions Laiser Hill played like the champions they are, sinking 22 points against Lukenya’s four to snatch the victory.
Laiser Hill captain Dynoken Ochieng was elated with the win, lauding his side for recovering in time to salvage the game.
“We had a slow start which left us playing catchup for the better part of the match, but we composed ourselves and played our hearts out in the final quarter and I’m glad we were able to save the game,” Ochieng said.
His Lukenya’s equal James Imen said they were still determined to qualify for the semis despite the defeat.
“We fought well but they came out stronger in the fourth quarter. This is our first time at this level of competition and we are determined to win our remaining matches so we can we can reach the knockouts,” Imen said.
In Group A, Kenyans registered mixed results as Dagoretti High thrashed Tanzania’s Lumala Secondary School, while Dr Aggrey suffered a 72-88 loss to ITS Kigali from Rwanda.
In the girls’ contest, St Joseph’s Girls High School Kitale humbled 2016 champions Kaya Tiwi 50-42 to remain in the race for a semis spot.
In hockey, former national and East Africa champions St Anthony’s Boys High School Kitale beat holders Musingu High School 2-1 to keep their title hopes alive.
It was sweet revenge for St Anthony’s christened, Les Titans, who have suffered at the hands of Musingu for the past three years.
Being a round-robin contest, the defeat reduced Musingu’s chances of retaining the title they won last year in Mbale, Uganda.
Musingu started their defence on the wrong footing as they lost by a solitary goal to Uganda’s Kakungulu Memorial of Uganda who they dethroned last year.