Reigning boys’ basketball champions Dr Aggrey from Coast and former holders Laiser Hill Academy from Rift Valley yesterday defied all odds to book a final date of the ongoing Brookside Secondary Schools national Term One games at Shimo La Tewa High School, Mombasa.

The two sides were forced to play with less than the required 12 players due to challenges with verification.

Dr Aggrey which began their campaign with a 71-95 Group A loss in to Dagoretti High recovered to win their remaining two matches and secure a semi-finals clash with Lukenya School, who had topped Group B after winning all their matches. 

The seven-man Dr Aggrey showed grit rallying from behind to beat Lukenya, who seemed to be in control of the game thanks to their numbers, edging them 70-66 to remain on course to retain their title.

Jacob Kayika was on fire scoring a match-high 34 points to help Dr Aggrey secure their place in the final. Dominic Yor led Lukenya with 21 points.

Laiser Hill, who were reduced to nine players, fought like wounded lions, hence dominating their bitter rivals Dagoretti High for the better part of the match.

Dagoretti also had to play with less men after two players were not cleared. Laiser Hill held the nerve to beat Dagoretti 85-83 and inch closer to reclaiming the title they lost to Dr Aggrey last year.

Dagoretti’s Daniel Mutumbo watched helplessly as his 28 points went up in smoke, marking yet another defeat to perennial rivals. Laiser Hill’s victory was a team effort, with Chance Mutuma leading the scores with 14 points while Clinton Wambua added 12.

In the girls’ contest, holders Butere Girls will renew rivalry with former champions Kaya Tiwi who are looking to end their two-year trophy drought.

Butere who are chasing their third title in a row thrashed Olympic High School 62-35 while Kaya Tiwi dismissed St Joseph’s Kitale 60-42.

Kaya Tiwi captain Akir Machar said that their main objective is to keep the trophy home.

“The trophy must remain here, we have been working hard to make this happen and I believe that our efforts will pay off,” Akir said.

Butere’s Yvonne Sheryl dared Kaya Tiwi to bring it on, saying they are familiar, so they know how to handle them.

“We know them and understand their game which will make it a very tight game. However, I believe that we have what it takes to defend our title,” Sherly Said.

In handball, champions St Lukes Kimilili and Moi Girls Kamusinga are a match away from retaining their titles.

Kimilili will tackle St Albert Kamito in a repeat of their group stage match which the former won 37-20. Kimilili routed newcomers Highway Secondary School 21-14 while Manyatta Kamito laboured to a 28-26 win against Manyatta High School.