New Nyanza champions St Mary’s School Yala is a team with big dreams.

As they prepare to make their third appearance at the national stage, Yala believe they have the talent to compete for the title when the KSSSA National Term Two games kick off on Tuesday in Kakamega.

Ray Ian Opiyo, the Siaya County and Nyanza Region Most Valuable Player (MVP) promised a podium finish for Yala with East Africa ticket also on the cards in Kakamega.

Opiyo was instrumental in Yala’s Nyanza Region win and he believes as they continue to work as a unit, they can topple heavyweights in Kakamega.

“We have been training in the morning and evening every day since we qualified for the nationals, making significant adjustments to some of the areas we made mistakes.

“The team has also perfected the areas we considered our strengths and now we can only wait for the tip off because we want to take Yala to East Africa finals,” said Opiyo.

Yala coaches Edwin Haika and Leonard Okuku told the Standard Sports that they have prepared the team well.

Haika disclosed that it has been a three-year journey of turmoil and disappointments to winning their maiden Nyanza Region title.

“We never gave up the dream. Every year we have made it to nationals since basketball 3×3 inception in 2023. But this year is special because we qualify for nationals as Nyanza champions.

“It’s a big thing for the boys who are now extra motivated and they know they can win,” said Haika.

The team, also under the guidance of long-time external coach Seth Midigo, stunned regional opponents Agoro Sare and Sawagongo to lift the Nyanza crown.

Midigo, who has worked with the current group of players for the past three years, is confident they can make a statement in Kakamega.

“We are not going there to just participate. We are going as serious competitors. The boys are ready. We have trained hard, focusing on teamwork, ball movement, and physical fitness,” said Midigo. “Our target is to reach the semi-finals and earn a shot at the East Africa ticket.”