Ngiya Girls, Agoro Sare bag CS Owalo Foundation basketball titles

Ngiya Girls and Agoro Sare on Sunday emerged as winners of the inaugural Eliud Owalo Nyanza schools basketball tournament which concluded in Kisumu on Sunday. Ngiya Girls, inspired by the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and top scorer Cindy Patience, overcame Tuk Jowi 63-38 to lift the title. Ngiya started strongly after racing to a 19-7 lead in the first quarter and extended their lead in the second quarter by 21-10. In a closely fought third quarter, Ngiya Girls narrowly led 14-13 and 9-8 in the fourth quarter.

In the boys' category, Agoro Sare, enjoying the support of their principal Isaac Okeyo, upset Nyanza region champions Onjiko School 55-29 to lift the title. Agoro Sare took charge of the game after winning the first quarter 18-6 and 17-8 in the second quarter. In the second half, the teams tied at 11-11 while Agoro Sare won the last quarter 9-4. In the semis, Ngiya Girls upset fancied Nyakach Girls 30-20 in a tough match, while Tuk Jowi beat Nyanza region champions Ototo Mixed 29-10. Nyakach settled for the third spot after a 25-8 win over Ototo in the third-place playoff.
In the boys' category, Agoro Sare overcame Kisii County's Nyanchwa Boys 64-37 while Onjiko needed one basket to beat archrivals Maseno School 34-32 in a tough semi-final. Maseno School bagged the third place after beating Nyanchwa 38-27 in the third place play-off.Agoro Sare coach Paul Odok said: "This win was not by surprise. We prepared for this tournament. We expect to repeat this during the Nyanza regional championship. This was a very good tournament. It has helped me see where the team is and where I need to improve," added Okok. Onjiko's Joseph Were said: "Agoro Sare was the better team today. We needed to lose this tournament so that we go back and work hard ahead of County championships." Ngiya Girl’s chief principal Hellen Juma lauded her girls and said they are targeting the county and regional championships. A total of 26 teams took part in the two-day tournament which was organised by the Eliud Owalo Foundation. The foundation patron Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo said the tournament will be held annually. The CS kitted all the participating teams while the top three teams also received uniforms from the Kenya Academy of Sports.
Courtesy of: the-star.co.ke