Sammy Kitula
1 March 2008
Nairobi — Marvin Gitungo's 27 points helped St. Mary's School win their first match in the second round of the Nairobi Secondary Schools Sports Association boys' basketball league.
The match, played on Thursday evening at Aquinas High School, saw the 2004 provincial champions outclass the hosts 57-45.
With St. Mary's chasing a spot in April's national games, matches against defending champions St. Austin's and St. Theresa are now crucial.
Gitungo, the highest scorer in his team so far, sunk the first basket for his side to take an early lead after four seconds and was at it again moments later as his side withstood immense pressure from the home team.
Aquinas replied through Bill Omaya and Dennis Omondi.
Abraham Kimeu and Masuud Issa of St. Mary's scored 12 points apiece as the former champions used a 23-17 first half lead to pull away and defeat their surprised opponents.
Omaya, who scored 15 points, had seven points in the third quarter, trying to keep his side close, but their opponents were too much for them. After a turnover by Brian Wanga of Aquinas, Issa's 3-pointer with seconds left capped the visitors' big run and gave them a 22-12 lead.
The definition of the game finally came in the fourth quarter as Aquinas, 2005 winners, rallied to close the gap. They won the quarter 16-12 but lost the match.
"The boys played very well despite the fact that we were playing an away game. We are pleased with our performance and this win has been attributed to the many hours we have been spending on court daily," said St. Mary's coach, David Waigwa.
"We are not looking behind, and we want to go all the way to the nationals at Mangu," he added.
* Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association national secretary on Friday said that the 90 days rule would only apply to genuine cases of displaced students.
David Ngugi clarified the rule on transfers. "I beg to put the record straight on this matter. We won't give a blanket amnesty to the students, as it is likely to be abused. Only genuine cases are going to benefit," he said.
Transfer rule
The rule prohibits students from taking part in secondary school competitions for a school in which they have been for less than 90 days. It is meant to curb cheating students from playing for two or more schools within a single term.
The secretary said they would conduct thorough investigations before relaxing the rule.
"Each case would be considered on its own merit and only genuine cases will be taken into consideration. We would also like to point out that deserving students will benefit from this amnesty," added Ngugi.
The relaxation of the rule was considered when sports officials found that students in some parts of the country were driven out of their homes by the poll violence.
They said the students' participation at the national finals would be hampered.
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